Meet Sprott Shaw’s 2026 Fraser Valley and Surrey Valedictorians
We are proud to introduce our valedictorians who graduated in 2026 from our Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Maple Ridge, and Surrey campuses, marking the culmination of months of hard work that has now paid off! During their graduation ceremonies, they celebrated with their classmates, campus staff, family, and friends to honour the determination, passion, and resilience it took to cross the finish line. You can find a short excerpt from their valedictorian speeches below.
We are incredibly proud of all our graduates, and we can’t wait to see what they do next. Congratulations Class of 2026 — you did it!
Erica Ferhcert, our valedictorian representing the Abbotsford campus, shared her journey that led to fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She also reflected on the skills she gained and the bonds she made with classmates and staff during her time at Sprott Shaw.
“Standing here as valedictorian is an incredible honor, but more than that, it is proof that no matter what path your life takes and no matter how long it takes to get there – your destiny is never out of reach.”
Chilliwack Valedictorian: Vanessa Arrowsmith – Health Care Assistant
Vanessa Arrowsmith, our valedictorian representing the Chilliwack campus, spoke about the resilience it took to reach graduation, and the lessons and skills learned along the way. She also thanked the instructors, family, and friends, who supported the graduating class in their journey to accomplish this achievement.
“A fulfilling career is not about having no fear; it’s about moving forward even when fear is there. Our hesitation didn’t stop us—it shaped us. It taught us resilience, patience, and strength. We kept going. We kept choosing ourselves, our mental health, and our future. And that choice is why we’re celebrating today.”
Maple Ridge Valedictorian: Shelby Parman – Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk
Shelby Parman, our valedictorian representing the Maple Ridge campus, reflected on the community she found during her time at Sprott Shaw and the memories they made and challenges they overcame together.
“No matter if you start late, your path looks different, or uncertainty has struck, we will all succeed if we show up every day for ourselves and our futures.”
Tatiana Maxwell, our valedictorian representing the Surrey campus, reflected on the challenges she overcame to get to where she is today. She also encouraged her classmates to keep moving forward, take risks, and push through the fear of uncertainty.
“Some of us will change paths. Some of us will outgrow dreams we once held tightly. Some of us will start over more than once. And that’s not failure, that’s part of the process of becoming. Because identity isn’t something you find once and keep forever. It’s something you build, challenge, and redefine over time. So don’t measure your life by how quickly you arrive. Measure it by how honestly you live. By the risks you take. By the courage you show. By how willing you are to step into the unknown, again and again.”
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