Ogimaawabiitong (Kenora Chiefs Advisory) is honoured and proud to be able to recognize the 2023- 2024 co-Valedictorian of Beaver Brae Secondary School, Noah White, who proudly represents his community of Naotkamegwanning First Nation.
Congratulations and Miigwetch to Noah for sharing their journey with us!
Q: What does being named valedictorian mean to you?
The title means a lot to me, for both me and my co-valedictorian Tallen, to be acknowledged by our peers as someone who they want to represent Beaver Brae’s class of 2024, is a huge honour.
Q: What advice or words of wisdom would you share with other youth who aspire to reach similar academic goals as you have?
Honestly, I’m not someone to look at as an academic role model. I wasn’t voted to be valedictorian because of my academics, I think I was voted because of my extracurriculars and involvement in the community. My advice for that would be to throw yourself into anything you possibly can, the worst that could happen is you have another experience under your belt.
Q: Are there any specific cultural or community values you can think of that guided you and you’ve carried with you through your school journey?
I try to go about my life by the 7 grandfather teachings, but I think one that I try to represent the most is respect. Respect for others obviously, I believe every person has wisdom to give and it’s important to listen to that. But also respect for yourself, and knowing you are valued.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment from school as you move on to this next journey in life?
My proudest achievement was getting cast as Willy Wonka in our production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this year. Acting was one of the most important things to me throughout school. Getting trusted with this character who meant a lot to me since childhood is something I take pride in.
Q: What are your plans for this upcoming year and your next steps now that you have graduated/what are you most excited about?
I’ll be taking a gap year and helping direct our drama production of The Three Musketeers, which will be running next spring. After that, I will be going to university to pursue a theatre career, and hopefully become a drama teacher here at Beaver Brae later in life.
Miigwetch again to Noah White for sharing their high school experience with us, and we look forward to seeing what Noah will create in their journey forward!
