Grad season finally hits the City of Moose Jaw, and with it, all of our town's students are highlighted for their accomplishments, especially the valedictorians.

These students achieve the highest marks in their grades and receive the honour of giving a speech in front of their class. This year, Peacock Collegiate High School's Jackson Woloshuk has been selected as his class's valedictorian.

Before finals, Woloshuk had an average of 99%, making him the obvious choice by staff to become their class of 2018 valedictorian. He attributes his marks to hard work, studying, and since he has a more logically thinking brain, some of the lessons come naturally and easily to him. It also helped that math was one of his favourite subjects.

Throughout high school, Woloshuk was also heavily involved in his school as a student-athlete. He was a part of Peacock's SGA, a team captain on the football team and a member of their cross country and track teams. For him, sports have even been some of his best moments there.

"I have to say [my favourite memories are] all my sports memories. Like winning the provincial football championships in grade 9 and 10 are really special for me," Woloshuk said. "Then also in grade 10 winning a double gold in track in the quadrathlon and also being a part of the 4 by 100-meter relay that won that gold that year in Regina are a few super fun memories that I'll look back on and smile at."

Sports have also helped him become a better leader and athlete in high school and to be more engaged with Peacock and its students. He says academics and sports go hand-in-hand for him at AEP.

Woloshuk was in the French immersion program at Palliser Heights in elementary school, and the decision to transfer to the English program at Peacock was almost natural for him. He not only liked their academic and sports programs, he also saw Peacock as a second home already with his mom, Amy Woloschuk, being a teacher at Peacock. She took him with her to the school since he was young.

Next year, Woloshuk plans to attend the University of Waterloo to enter the nanotechnology program. He chose this school because he sees it as one of the best engineering schools. He chose nanotechnology since there are so many things to do in that field and it has had many advancements in recent years.

Before then, Woloshuk still has all his grad ceremonies and celebrations to complete.

"That's one last time with friends where it's kind of formal. Just to spend basically an entire day with them one last time. I'm looking forward to the banquet and obviously the ceremony," Woloshuk said. "Hopefully I'll have a decent speech and not sound like an idiot up there, but yeah [looking forward to] just spend time with friends one last time."

Woloshuk said that those heading into high school should enjoy their four years there. He said it was some of his best years so far, and that you only get four years in high school, so make them count.