Pleasant surprise for Catholic Central High School valedictorian

“I’m so honoured and it’s just something amazing. I’ve worked really hard, and I’m kind of speechless right now,” Wong told Lethbridge News Now.

“The school community is really great. All the teachers and [administration], they do really care about us students. Considering the circumstances, they have really tried to make this grad as best as it can be. I really do feel loved.”

Wong said she was completely shocked when she saw the convoy on her street.

A convoy of cars lining Wong’s street to celebrate the young student (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

Under regular circumstances, Wong would have been called into school principal Joanne Polek’s office, handed a letter and asked if she accepted the offer of being named valedictorian.

But due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, students are not in school, so Polek wanted to do something different and create a special moment for Wong.

“We felt it was only fitting because tonight [Friday, May 8] would have been our graduation mass and tomorrow [May 9] would have been the convocation ceremonies, banquet, dance to follow kind of thing,” Polek told LNN.

She praised the hard work of the young student.

“Out of 277 students, Elisha was named valedictorian. She had a very, crazy average. It was well over 99, let’s just say.”

“She wrote every diploma [exam]. She also did a dual credit course with the University of Lethbridge…there was no doubt that she would be named [valedictorian] after that.”

Wong said her mother told her they were going to be doing a family portrait session, so she dressed up for the occasion, not knowing about the surprise awaiting her later in the morning.

“I was supposed to get all dolled up, but I wasn’t really motivated to, because I was like this is kind of random but okay,” she said with a laugh.

Wong said she plans on studying in the neuroscience program at the University of Lethbridge, with the hope to eventually pursue medicine. Both of her parents work in healthcare; her father as a physician and her mother as a dietician.

Wong with staff from Catholic Central High School (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

“Seeing how they have to work and help other people a lot during this time [COVID-19 pandemic], it really encourages me even more to further pursue this goal.”

Wong also shared a message to her fellow graduates.

“Even though things are rough sometimes, it’s going to get way better and you’re going to be really happy one day,” she said.

Polek added that Catholic Central plans on holding a presentation of convocation boxes on June 13 at Catholic Central Campus East.

Graduates will be able to drive on to 5^th Avenue – ten at a time – and be presented their graduation box, making it a full day of celebration.

A digital convocation is in the works, where Wong will make her valedictorian address. The school has also posted a video celebrating their graduating students, which can be found on the Catholic Central High School Facebook page.

by Justin Goulet

Pleasant surprise for Catholic Central High School valedictorian

What's Happening