The valedictorians for this year's University of Northern British Columbia graduation ceremony, set for Fri., May 27 at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, have been chose.
Torrye McKenzie will speak at the college of arts, social and health sciences convocation at 9:30 a.m. and Haylee Seiter will speak at the college of science and management convocation at 2:30 p.m.
McKenzie is originally from Quesnel and will be graduating with a bachelor of health sciences in biomedical studies.
Over the four years she has attended UNBC, McKenzie developed an interest in food advocacy work - from food waste management and community nutrition to food security and equitable food production.
McKenzie has accepted a job with the Canadian Fair Trade Network, a non-profit organization in Vancouver. She will be the national fair trade school program co-ordinator.
"UNBC gave me a leading academic institute to develop my intellectual capabilities as well as a home which motivated and supported me to explore and nurture my own passions," McKenzie said.
Seiter is from Prince George. She will be graduating with a bachelor of commerce in marketing.
In her final year at UNBC, she helped guide UNBC's JDC West academic marketing team to a first-place finish at the JDC West competition in Saskatoon in January 2016.
Seiter also spent two semesters in France on an academic exchange where she studied at the Paris School of Business, where she was the only Canadian among the students in the exchange program.
Seiter's goal is to work for a big marketing agency that works with a variety of different clients.
"What I absolutely enjoy about UNBC is the distinctive sense of community. It doesn't matter what major or program you are in, there is a place for everyone," Seiter said.
"It took me living 7,000 kilometres away to realize just how incredible that is. Not only is our campus absolutely beautiful, but we have the most amazing approachable professors and staff. They made me believe anything is possible."
Valedictorians are selected by a committee consisting of two undergraduate student representatives, two graduate student representatives, and one alumni representative.
