Lorette graduate overcomes head injury to be valedictorian

A College Lorette Collegiate graduate overcame a head injury to become valedictorian.

Julia Raynaud is the English stream valedictorian at this year’s graduating class and she spoke on Tuesday about how a severe head injury during a Grade 11 soccer game changed her life.

“I missed a lot of school, I was always stumbling on words, and I had trouble focusing. I had to relearn things, my grades had changed, and I had to work super hard,” she said.

“It taught me people have had many experiences that we don’t always look back. The message I’m trying to give from this is that you should always be kind and look out for others. This message is what got me through.”

Raynaud thanked her classmates for putting up with her “obvious questions”, her laughing, and her non-stop talking.

“Thank you guys for always taking a second to hear me out and then answer my stupid questions. Thank you for always laughing with me and being the reason I wanted to talk to you all so much.”

Raynaud also thanked teachers and parents for their support and guidance.

She said she felt really good about graduating and that she was a little bit scared, but ready to enter university where she will be studying nursing.

The French stream valedictorian is Mackenzie Waddell who spoke about how the graduating class’ early high school experience was impacted by the pandemic.

“COVID-19 created many challenges for us by only going to school three times a week, online classes, and seeing half of our classmates’ faces. With these obstacles we couldn’t connect and grow as a class. However, we found ways to communicate…even with all the social distancing,” she said.

She shared stories about school trips to the outdoors and all the shenanigans she and her classmates did on those trips and how it brought them all closer.

Wadell also spoke about how in what felt like a short time, she and her classmates got to know eachother and became “familiars in each other’s lives.” She said the days were long but the years were short. How they all shared “cheer, many tears, laughter, and challenges” and how they’ve shaped each other.

“Not only has this been an academic journey but it has been a journey of friendship, discovery, and growth. You’ve supported each other, learned from one another, and created the memories that last a lifetime.”

Waddell also thanked the teachers who helped her graduating class succeed in all their endeavors.

“So, here’s to the class of 2024 as we continue to grow and step into a world with courage, curiosity, and kindness,” she said.

Waddell exclaimed she was excited for the future and what is to come and that she plans on majoring in engineering in university. She will also travel to Europe to “see what’s out there.” Her message to her classmates is to “take a chance, do something different, and just be you.”

One of Waddell and Raynaud’s classmates is Victoria Ntambwe whose family cheered full heartedly and with gusto during her diploma acceptance.

“I feel really elevated. I’m excited to start my university journey. All those four years are just gone in a twinkling of an eye – it’s amazing.”

Ntambwe will major in jazz piano at the Desautels faculty of music. She has a parting message to her classmates.

“We finally did it. It’s been a long four years but we made it in one piece and I’m so excited and happy for all of you and I can’t wait to see what (you) have accomplished in the future to come.”