As the school year comes to a close and graduation draws near, Northlands Parkway Collegiate has named Maya Janz the valedictorian for the Class of 2025.
“I’m very excited. I wasn’t expecting it," Janz says, "There were two other girls who were also amazing going out for it, but I’m very honoured to have this last chance to speak to my class before graduating.”
Though Janz went through the effort to make it happen, she admits that she didn’t always picture herself in this role. “This is definitely nothing I would have dreamed of doing in Grade 9,” she says. “It was an opportunity that I decided to take after much consideration and prayer. I want to leave my class with one last message of hope and truth.”
And with less than a month left in the school year, she’s focused on making the most of it. “I’m very excited to make these last couple of memories with friends and family and peers, and I’m very excited to see where God is going to take me in the future.”
What comes next?
Looking ahead, Janz has enrolled at the University of Winnipeg. “I am accepted into the University of Winnipeg for a general science degree, and then after that, maybe go into veterinary college,” something she says has always been the goal for her, ever since she was little.
Reflecting on her time at NPC, Janz shares what she wishes she had known earlier. “I would definitely encourage myself to step out of my comfort zone more and talk to people, get connected within my school community, because that’s only something I started doing recently.”
She says her school experience was defined by meaningful, everyday moments. “I really loved the community and the small moments of like laughter and deep conversation in between classes, and I also I love academics and learning. I loved it.”
Of the things Janz will miss most about her time at NPC, for her, it’s the often-unnoticed parts of school life.
“Definitely the small, seemingly insignificant moments that most people wouldn’t think of, like the laughter in the halls, the conversations in between class labs. Choir practice is definitely a big thing, but the moments that you don’t think of missing until they’re gone.”
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Her message
Having her speech written out, Janz says if there is one thing people take out of what she has to say, it's that, “I want to inspire my class to value personal growth and character over achievement,” she says. “And to reflect on the journey that we’ve been through and not just this end result.”
Looking forward, armed with the tools that her time at school has equipped her with to face the world, for Janz, there is no hesitation.
“I feel very ready.”
- with files supplied by Maya Janz -