The valedictorians for the University of Northern British Columbia graduation ceremonies have been chosen.
Emilio Caputo, who has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in history and minors in philosophy and political science, will deliver a speech at the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences Convocation ceremony on May 31 at 9:30 a.m.
Raliat Abioye, who earned a Bachelor of Science with honours biochemistry and molecular biology, will give her speech at the College of Science and Management Convocation ceremony at 2:30 p.m.
Caputo grew up in McBride, B.C., enrolling in UNBC five years ago as a UNBC Scholar as the top student in his high school class.
Early on in his undergraduate career, he joined the Northern Historical Student Society and later served in other capacities at both the university and in the broader community, notably as a Student Senator at UNBC and a Trustee on the Prince George Public Library Board.
This year he was one of six Research Ambassadors who promoted the undergraduate research opportunities available at UNBC to the university community and high school students.
"These past five years, I've enjoyed committing myself to better the community that gave me so much and I'm happy to see so many others do the same," he said.
"Ultimately I see my role as valedictorian as one which I am offered a chance to celebrate the collective successes of our university and indeed the lives of all who have left their mark upon its halls.
"UNBC has a hard-fought legacy, and I hope to impart that message as valedictorian. That each of us has a profound opportunity to use our experiences here to change the world."
As for what's next for Caputo, he'll be starting as an intern at B.C.'s Legislative Assembly in January 2020 and will consider graduate studies after that.
Abioye is from Brampton, Ont. and in the fall of 2015 enrolled at UNBC where she quickly developed her passions in research, mentoring, community service and leadership.
Working under the guidance of chemistry professor Dr. Stephen Rader, her research involved RNA splicing and she is a three-time recipient of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada - Undergraduate Student Research Award.
On campus, she was Vice-President of the Chemistry Club; a peer-led team leader; a Student Life volunteer at orientation; a member of the Synthetic Biology Club; a Research Ambassador who helped promote the abundance of research opportunities available at UNBC to her peers and high school students; and was one of the founding members of the Afro-Caribbean Student Association.
Off campus, she volunteered at the Crisis Prevention, Intervention and Information Centre.
She also became a biology, chemistry and math tutor to help other UNBC students achieve their academic goals.
Abioye said being selected as a Class of 2019 valedictorian is an absolute honour to her and the opportunity to remind her peers of the amazing work each and every one has accomplished which has played a key role in getting to the moment that they are able to commemorate.
"It means taking the time to thank those who have played a primary role in supporting us in getting to this moment such as our family and friends, professors, supervisors, mentors and all other faculty," she said. "It also means paying the respects to the Lheidli T'enneh territory, the owners of the land that we all grew and evolved in."
Abioye has set her sights on pursuing a career in medicine, but that's after she completes a Master's degree in biochemistry based on the passion for research she developed as an undergraduate student.
