Emma Maelde is all smiles as she looks forward to life after high school

Striking the right balance between school, sports and life can be a challenge. Emma Maelde took on that challenge and the result will be on stage Friday night for Peacock Collegiate's 2014 graduation ceremony. Maelde was named class valedictorian and will give her address at the end-of-year celebration.

Maelde graduates with an average over 95%, but her time wasn't all spent cracking the books. She hit the court, the track and the stage during her four years at Peacock, playing volleyball, basketball, badminton, track, and performing in three different Peacock musicals. What will Maelde's message be in her valedictory speech? “I'm mainly going to focus on the future. Even though everyone is separating, the time we had at Peacock was so special, and now we're going forward but we can still stay connected.”

Maelda says that her parents were instrumental in motivating her, and she also listed Peacock teacher and coach Renee Verge as another one of her influences.

Maelda will be attending the U of S to take dentistry in the fall.