Kaylee Couzens figures her grade average is "a 95 or 96 (per cent)."  She doesn't know for sure, but knows it was enough to get her named Valedictorian for the Vanier graduating class of 2017. 

Couzens will give the valedictory address at the Moose Jaw high school's graduation ceremonies Thursday evening (June 29). 

Couzens says her high school years were very important to her development as both a student and a person. 

“I’ve definitely become a lot more confident,” Couzens stated. “A lot less anxious about everything and a lot more sure of myself.”

Couzens was able to maintain her high marks while spending plenty of time with other interests. 

"I had 16 or 17 hours of dance a week, usually every day after school," she explained, adding that she also has a part-time job at a local pizza restaurant. 

One challenge for students over the last decade is the prominence of social media and some of the dangers involved related to bullying and social development.  Couzens feels she has the right outlook on the matter. 

 “All you can do is not be too focused on it,” said Couzens. “All that matters is reality, and life outside of Instagram and Twitter. You have to realize your amount of followers and amount of ‘likes’ shouldn’t determine how happy you should be.”

Couzens doesn't know exactly what career path she till take, but will attend the University of Saskatchewan and take Arts and Sciences "at this point, but I eventually want to get into the science side of things, do research."  

As for how she'll spend her last summer before university, Couzens says "mostly working...gotta make that money so I'm not broke going to university."

 

 

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