Fall Convocation Valedictorians are Primed to Change the World

John Baylon – Valedictorian, School of Community Studies

Graduating from: Health and Human Services Management Post-Diploma Certificate

Before making the long journey to Bow Valley College, John earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in the Philippines and worked as a school guidance counselor. Now ready to re-enter the education field, his goal is to work with children and youth, applying both his counseling background and his newly acquired knowledge in health and human services management.

Krissy Moxley – Valedictorian, Chiu School of Business

Graduating from: Legal Assistant Diploma

Krissy grew up in New Brunswick and lived on Prince Edward Island before moving to Alberta in 2015. Prior to attending Bow Valley College, where she first studied Business Administration, she was a psychology student at St. Thomas University and the University of Prince Edward Island. After a career in the finance sector and running her own wedding planning business, Krissy enrolled in the Legal Assistant Diploma. Her goals are to grow her legal assistant business, learn more about the courts system, and one day work in government.

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Can you share something about you that few people may know?

Krissy: I am musically inclined and can play the piano, guitar, and I sing. I started piano at the age of 6, guitar at 14, and I’ve been singing as long as I can remember.

John: I was nominated for valedictorian three times in my life, yet each time felt like a door closing. In 10th grade, I was rejected because I was missing one extracurricular activity. In senior high school, I was overlooked because the professors and dean didn't know me well enough. During my college years in psychology, I was passed over because my department was small and had fewer students. But those "almost" moments didn't break me, they built me.

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What stands out about your time as a Bow Valley College student?

John: It was meeting and connecting with people from every corner of the world, individuals who have become integral parts of my life. The knowledge I gained from my instructors became the foundation upon which I've built my identity. Bow Valley College didn't just educate me; it helped me discover my purpose in life.

Krissy: The best thing about my time as a student here was building connections with my instructors. I love growing my network and having well-rounded and connected individuals like the instructors I was lucky enough to have taken courses with.

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As a full-time student, you are constantly learning. What is one of the most valuable lessons you learned at Bow Valley College?

Krissy: If perseverance is never giving up, resilience means never giving up on myself.

John: There will be times when the goal feels impossibly far away. But every "almost there" moment means you're closer than you think.

Student life means a lot of class time, but what were some of the highlights of your time outside of the classroom at Bow Valley College?

John: The best thing was participating in Bow Valley College's diverse events that broadened my worldview. Attending Indigenous Awareness Month gave me the opportunity to gain knowledge about Indigenous peoples and their values. I witnessed my first drag show and attended LGBTQIA+ community events, which expanded my understanding of diversity and acceptance. I discovered unexpected talents, like making friendship bracelets. I joined the choir, and even though I only attended occasionally, it reminded me that I still have a voice worth sharing.

Krissy: Especially during the warmer or less snowy days, I would go for walks with classmates by the river. This was always a great reset between classes and made me appreciate the college’s location very much. I also enjoyed some of the fairs and events that were often held in the main hall by the cafeteria.

Which of Bow Valley College’s values – respect, creativity, inclusion, resilience, teamwork – resonates most with you?

Krissy: Resilience. I feel that I was able to overcome adversity with a consistent approach while handling external pressures and making the most of my educational journey.

John: Respect and inclusion. As an international student, it's incredibly important to me to understand and honor the history of the institution I'm part of. Knowing that Bow Valley College is built on Indigenous land and composed of people from vastly different backgrounds, I've learned how essential it is to demonstrate respect for every person's understanding, ideas, opinions, and perspectives.

Bow Valley College is about launching, advancing, or evolving your career. What are you most looking forward to as you move on from Bow Valley College into the next phase of your career journey?

John: My focus and heart have been devoted to becoming an agent of change in society and the community. I want to contribute to finding innovative approaches that address and reduce mental health challenges, especially those affecting youth, including Indigenous youth, newcomer youth, and other young people facing unique struggles.

Krissy: I'm excited about building on success and continuing to expand my network, grow my knowledge, and working towards becoming a resource for fellow legal assistants and colleagues.

Though we hope it's not ‘goodbye’, convocation does signal the closing of a chapter. As you part ways with your classmates and instructors, how would you like them to remember you?

Krissy: I hope that my classmates and instructors remember me as being approachable and kind.

John: I want my classmates and instructors to remember how motivated and committed I am to turn my words into actions and my dreams into reality, and how deeply I value the worth of every person I encounter. I may not be the most intelligent person in the room, the funniest, or the most popular, but you can count on me.

Congratulations to our valedictorians and to the entire Bow Valley College class of 2025!

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Bow Valley College’s Fall Convocation takes place on November 5th at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Werklund Centre. Check out this page for info on how you can watch livestreams of the ceremonies.

• John Baylon will deliver his valedictorian address during the November 5^th 9:00 a.m. ceremony (School of Community Studies and School of Health and Wellness)
• Krissy Moxley will deliver her valedictorian address during the November 5^th 2:00 p.m. ceremony. (Centre for Entertainment Arts, Chiu School of Business, School of Technology)

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