Every graduating class has its stories of perseverance, growth, ambition, and community, and each year, a few students are chosen to represent that shared journey.
For Spring Convocation 2026, Bow Valley College is proud to celebrate four valedictorians whose experiences reflect the strength, creativity, resilience, and the heart of the Class of 2026.
Get a glimpse of the people behind the achievement, in their own words: students who have worked hard, supported others, embraced change, and are ready to make their mark beyond Bow Valley College.
Meet the valedictorians:
Every valedictorian brings more than academic achievement to the stage. They also bring experiences, interests, and stories that shaped who they are. We asked each of them to share something people may not know about them.
Kris: I am a registered Electronics Engineer in the Philippines. Due to the limited job opportunities available back then, I taught myself how to code and transitioned into software development. Also, I have always been a fan of Japan’s Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series. I am amazed by the creativity behind each series. There is always something that brings out the child in us and keeps us young at heart.
Sarah: I have a presentation posted on Prezi from 2015 (which I can’t access anymore) where I outlined my “life plan.” One of my goals was to become an actress and win an Oscar! While that dream changed over time, it eventually led me to explore storytelling and audiovisual production.
Chika: Before moving into community development and health and human services, I worked as an optometrist and led an eye clinic in Nigeria. I’ve gone from helping people literally see better to helping build systems that support people more broadly. I am also a musician, and I have a few songs on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. So, if community development leadership does not work out, maybe I will just start replying to emails with album links instead!
Amanda: I am a self-taught baker. What started as curiosity turned into a hobby that taught me patience, creativity, and attention to detail. I enjoy trying new things and challenging myself to learn skills.
Beyond coursework and credentials, Bow Valley College is also a place where students discover new strengths, perspectives, and possibilities. We asked the valedictorians to reflect on one lesson that will stay with them.
Kris: I learned how to cook through the college’s “Cooking on a Budget” program. The experience gave me an even greater appreciation for my wife, who prepares meals for our family. It also taught me patience, as cooking takes time and attention. I became more cost-conscious and humbler, especially when living independently and managing a limited budget amid rising grocery prices.
Sarah: One of the most valuable lessons I learned at Bow Valley College is to keep trying. Whether it was understanding a new concept, solving a problem, or finding a way forward, I learned the importance of persistence. Progress doesn’t always happen immediately, but continuing to show up and push forward makes all the difference.
Chika: I once heard the idea that “growth is not always loud; sometimes it looks like quietly refusing to give up.” That deeply reflects my experience at Bow Valley College. Sometimes growth looks like starting over, asking for help, adapting to change, and still showing up even when you are unsure of yourself. I also count growth as the impact of courses like Organizational Behaviour with Jeff Kawalilak. His tutoring style and conversations around self-perception, and understanding ourselves and others, contributed to my personal growth in a way I will never forget.
Amanda: One of the most valuable lessons I learned at Bow Valley College is the importance of continuous learning. I learned to stay open to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives, and to embrace challenges with a positive mindset and willingness to grow.
Some of the most meaningful college experiences happen away from lectures, labs, and assignments. We asked the valedictorians to share a highlight from their time outside the classroom.
Kris: As a newcomer, I made a conscious effort to get to know the local community and establish connections. Through the Volunteer Collective, I volunteered on campus and engaged in off-campus opportunities, including at the local food bank and at tech meetups. These experiences helped me meet a diverse group of people while building meaningful relationships.
Sarah: One of the highlights of my time at Bow Valley College has been making connections through soccer, especially with Calgary Wild FC. I’ve had opportunities to attend games, events, and create content for the team. One particularly memorable moment was being invited to attend the league final in Toronto last November.
Chika: Some of the highlights for me were the relationships and sense of community I built along the way; from meaningful conversations with classmates that somehow turned into therapy sessions, to guidance and encouragement from instructors that became catalysts for thriving in leadership and community engagement. I also deeply appreciate instructors like Ashley Holloway, whose genuine interest in my journey and encouragement continually motivated me to grow into the person and leader I aspire to become.
Amanda: Some of the highlights of my time at Bow Valley College were the opportunities to volunteer both on and off campus. These experiences reinforced the importance of community involvement and making positive impact. They allowed me to give back in little but meaningful ways, develop leadership and communication skills, and create lasting memories.
Bow Valley College’s values of respect, inclusion, teamwork, resilience, and creativity help shape the way students learn, lead, and contribute to their communities. We asked each valedictorian which value resonates most with them, and why.
Kris: Respect is a universal language that helps me connect with people from diverse backgrounds and it’s one of my personal core values. I earn respect by honoring boundaries and valuing different perspectives. I showed respect for my instructors by attending every class and being punctual. I demonstrated self-respect by achieving my goal of completing my program and ensuring that the physical, financial, and emotional sacrifices my family made for me were worthwhile.
Sarah: The values that resonate most with me are resilience and respect. No matter the challenges I faced, I always tried to keep moving forward and continue pursuing my goals. At the same time, I’ve always believed in making people feel seen, heard, and valued wherever possible.
Chika: Resilience resonates with me the most because I see it as more than simply enduring difficult situations. To me, resilience is the ability to adapt and evolve in the midst of change. But even beyond adaptation, it is also about recognizing trends, preparing intentionally, and building sustainable systems that help us thrive when change arrives. Moving to a new country while balancing school, work, family, leadership, and personal growth taught me that resilience is not just survival, it is transformation with purpose.
Amanda: Respect and inclusion resonate with me the most, as through these values, I have learned the importance of creating spaces where everyone is welcome, heard, and valued. During my stay in the college, I experienced how these values foster collaboration and build stronger relationships.
Convocation marks both an achievement and a beginning, It is a time to celebrate how far our graduates have come and look ahead to what comes next. We asked Kris, Sarah, Chika, and Amanda what they are most looking forward to as they begin the next chapter of their careers and lives.
Kris: My next priority is to secure a software developer role where I can contribute meaningful work and continue growing professionally. I also look forward to building relationships with more technology professionals through community involvement. As AI continues to transform the industry, I am committed to lifelong learning and continuous upskilling to remain adaptable and relevant.
Sarah: I’m excited to continue pursuing my dreams and building a career in sports and media. Bow Valley College provided opportunities, support, and experiences that aligned closely with my professional goals. I look forward to continuing to tell stories, foster community, and contribute to the growth of sports in Calgary.
Chika: I am most excited about using what I have learned to create meaningful impact in communities. I recently stepped into a Team Lead role in Community Development at the Women’s Centre of Calgary, and I look forward to growing into a strong voice of influence in the community development space; helping shape inclusive systems, empower people, and contribute to lasting social impact.
Amanda: Applying the knowledge, skills, and experiences I have gained at Bow Valley College to new opportunities. I look forward to contributing meaningfully to my profession and community while growing both personally and professionally.
Convocation may mark the end of their time as students, but the connections, contributions, and memories they leave behind will continue. We asked each valedictorian how they hope to be remembered by their classmates and instructors.
Kris: I want to be remembered as a steadfast individual who values family, faith, lifelong learning, and authentic relationships.
Sarah: I’d like to be remembered as someone who arrived as a scared young girl and grew into a confident woman throughout her journey at Bow Valley College –someone who worked hard, stayed determined, and never stopped believing that her goals were possible. Most of all, I hope people remember me as someone who keeps trying, even when things feel difficult.
Chika: I hope they remember me as someone who genuinely cares about people, encourages others, brings positive energy into the room, remains committed to growth, and hopefully as someone who smiled through the pressure, made presentations slightly more bearable and had a motivational speech ready.
Amanda: I would like to be remembered as someone who is open-minded, dedicated, supportive, and values collaboration for common good.
Congratulations to Kris, Sarah, Chika, Amanda, and the entire Bow Valley College Class of 2026! Your stories remind us that convocation is not only a celebration of you have achieved, it is the start of new adventures. We can’t wait to see where your journeys lead.
Bow Valley College’s Spring Convocation takes place on June 17 and 18 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Werklund Centre. Visit bowvalleycollege.ca on those dates for info on how you can watch livestreams of the Spring Convocation ceremonies.
Kristoffer Lao will give his valedictorian address during the June 17th 9:00 a.m. ceremony.
Sarah Rubiano will give her valedictorian address during the June 17th 2:00 p.m. ceremony.
Chika Ugagu will give her valedictorian address during the June 18th 9:00 a.m. ceremony.
Amanda Osakue will give her valedictorian address during the June 18th 2:00 p.m. ceremony.
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