When Chris Xu stands in front of his graduation class to give his valedictory speech today, he wants it to be more than just words.
The Colonel Gray High student, who immigrated to P.E.I. from China four years ago, wants to offer a message of hope.
“I want to encourage and help other people because of all the positive things that have happened to me. I want to give something back,” says the 17-year-old Charlottetown teen who faced
multiple challenges in settling into the P.E.I. school system.
The first was realizing he was the only Chinese student in his Grade 9 class.
“I was scared because none of them spoke my language (Mandarin),” says Chris.
However, when he transferred to Colonel Gray High School in Grade 10, he felt right at home.
“It was a bigger school. And I made new friends quickly, especially in the band. They were really friendly. And we did fun things together, including going on a band trip. I have great memories.”
But, there were challenges. The long, cold winter nights didn’t agree with him.
And the days at school were stress-filled.
Chris was in the pre-international baccalaureate (IB) program, and the pace was very fast.
“So, I didn’t lay a good foundation for my English because I didn’t study at night. And now, I needed to catch up with the rest of my class.”
The first semester was “very hard”, and when he received low marks in English he was discouraged.
“I had never written formal essays or read (English) books before. So, I recorded my teacher’s voice and played back the lesson each night at home, so I could start to understand it better because, at the time, my listening skills were horrible.”
With his teacher’s support and his extra effort, his English marks began to rise.
His instructor, Jackie Cutcliffe, also looked for ways to teach him academic writing.
“That’s why I think she’s a great teacher. She understands her students.”
Chris had a similar experience with his other subjects.
“I thought the IB program would be easy, but it wasn’t. So, I asked for help from my teachers and I worked pretty hard,” says Chris, who has been accepted into the Dalhousie University’s medical science program this fall.
Looking back, he says his instructors made the difference.
“What’s great about the teachers is that they reflect (and take time) on how you progress. I am very thankful,” says Chris, who is also grateful to his graduating class for voting for him as valedictorian.
More than 300 Grade 12 students turned out to hear the speeches of prospective valedictorians in May.
“It was really touching and moving to see all (the graduates) stand up and applaud for me. It meant so much because I struggled so much in school.
“Finally, I felt like I belonged.”
If you are going:
- What: Colonel Gray High School graduation ceremony.
- When and where: Thursday, June 21, 2 p.m., UPEI Fieldhouse.
