Shaurya Yadav and Sonya Petrasek were just moments away from taking a polar bear plunge into Penticton's Skaha Lake when word got out that they were Princess Margaret Secondary School's 2025 valedictorians.
"I was definitely honoured," said Petrasek, who is studying political science at the University of Calgary this fall.
"It's such a big thrill to be able to do this," added Yadav, a soon-to-be first-year biochemistry student at the University of British Columbia Okanagan.
Yadav and Petrasek learned they were Princess Margaret's valedictorians earlier this year when a teacher momentarily halted the school's annual plunge to make the surprise announcement. Standing on the shores of Skaha Lake, the pair were welcomed by loud cheers from dozens of their classmates.
The two friends say their emotions ranged from thrilled to shocked when they heard they were selected to represent the class of 2025.
"I was taken aback, but also very excited," Petrasek said.
Being a valedictorian also comes with making a speech at the school's graduation ceremony.
Yadav and Petrasek say they're eager to present in front of their classmates and families while putting a bow on the class's four-year high school journey, which started in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021-22.
"We've all contributed to making this school better every day," stated Petrasek, who, along with being in the school's leadership program, spent time as a volleyball and ultimate Frisbee player outside the classroom.
Thanks to a positive experience in a Grade 11 law class, she hopes to become a lawyer.
Yadav, also a leadership program graduate, says he hopes to obtain a bachelor of science in biochemistry. Along with his studies, the Grade 12 student has tallied several hours as a volunteer at both Trinity Care Centre and Penticton Regional Hospital.
When asked to reflect on high school and how fast "time flies," the valedictorians were quick to remember their first days at Princess Margaret Secondary in September 2021.
"We were all lined up outside ready for our first day — it was still in COVID," Yadav recalled. "That's definitely a big memory."
"With our grad class, in Grade 9 especially, we weren't really close due to COVID and being in separate groups," Petrasek began. "It was in Grade 11 when we clicked and knew we're all one."
Princess Margaret Secondary's graduation ceremony is set for June 20, inside the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
