Meet the 2019 Valedictorians
Joshua Marando, Faculty of Arts & Science valedictorian
“For me, the definition of success is leaving a place better than you found it. This means looking at systems, challenging them, and listening to critiques to understand what you can do better.”
Sophie Ochocinski, Faculty of Business valedictorian
“It’s been unimaginably difficult for my family. I’ve seen my mom have her whole world turned upside down, but never stopping and always working to keep us going and provide for our family. I hope to honor my father’s name and make both my parents proud with everything I set out to do.”
Britney Hawkins, Faculty of Business valedictorian
“When I came to McMaster, I believed that independence was the greatest display of competence and that success was defined by individual success. McMaster/DeGroote has taught me that collaboration and communication are two key pillars for success and changed the way in which I work”
Lindsay Nooren, Faculty of Social Sciences valedictorian
“McMaster made me understand the joys of learning and how not all learning can be done in a lecture hall. It can be facilitated through experiential learning, activism, advocacy, etc. Getting out in the world, being immersed in different environments, and learning from others, has become so important to me.”
Korin Visca, Faculty of Social Sciences valedictorian
“I would tell my first-year self that it is okay to not stick to your original plan — university introduces you to many new concepts, ideas, and passions you might have never thought of!”
Jhanahan Sriranjan, Faculty of Science valedictorian
“Never underestimate the power of a good laugh. Get in one of those bent-over, tears-streaming laughs once a day with the people you love and those things that were stressing you out might not feel so significant anymore.”
Nagashree Thovinakere, Faculty of Science valedictorian
“My experiences at McMaster have helped me realize the impact an individual can have on the community. Through my involvement with research, rehabilitation programs and art therapy, I have been able to critically think and translate the knowledge I have gained in classrooms to better the lives of the people in the community.”
Matthew Ferguson, Faculty of Engineering valedictorian
“The advice I would give to current students is don’t feel [pressured] to figure out what you want to do right away. Even at the end of your degree, if you can’t figure it out, that’s totally fine. You shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. Try your best as you are right now in terms of your academics, but really try your best to enjoy your time here.”
Hannah McPhee, Faculty of Engineering valedictorian
“One of the big projects I worked on was the National Conference on Diversity in Engineering. That was a huge learning experience for me and an opportunity to meet speakers, educators and engineers from all over the country. That was one of the experiences where I thought, ‘This is what it might mean to be creating a brighter world within our profession of engineering.’”
Owen Luo, Faculty of Health Sciences valedictorian (May 23)
“I remember walking into my first undergraduate lecture feeling like an impostor: inadequate, inferior, and out of place. My first-year self would have certainly appreciated knowing to be proud of who he is, to keep standing tall, and to be himself –and nobody else.”
Micah Zagala, School of Nursing valedictorian (May 22)
“While being in the nursing program and placed in various clinical settings throughout the past four years, I’ve learned the importance of providing compassionate, non-judgmental, empathetic care for those who find themselves going through the most vulnerable situations. Honestly, there is so much power in taking the time to just be present with someone and listen to their lived experiences. It’s the small, simple actions that can shine the brightest light into a person’s world.”
