A brilliant Nigerian lady has set a new record at the University of Toronto, Canada, becoming the first black person to win the best graduating student award at the institution.
Out of the 259 students in her set, Miss Chika Stacy Oriuwa emerged valedictorian at the faculty of medicine, University of Toronto.
While thanking those who voted for her, Miss Chika said her award comes on the back of the advocacy work she’s put in and that she’s glad her efforts are appreciated and valued.
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She said, “I am incredibly thankful to those for voting for me and recognising the value of the work that I do and the contributions I have made to the faculty and overall community.
For me, it is a testament to the advocacy I have done over the last four years. To be able to come this far is also reflective in the shifting demographic and values of medicine today.”
In her valedictorian speech, Chika praised her colleagues for prioritising diversity and inclusion and rightfully naming her the best graduating student of her set.
“With my cohort of graduating physicians, it’s clear that we, as a collective group, value certain things more than they historically have been valued. We value diversity and inclusion, and that’s very reflective in me being voted class valedictorian,” she said.
The scholar pointed out that she was under a lot of pressure to prove herself because some people questioned if she had a more accessible route into medical school as a black person.
She said, “I felt I had to prove my merit in the classroom. Not only did I feel like this was intrinsically motivated, but externally reinforced when individuals would question if I had an easier route to get into medical school simply because of my race than somehow me getting in off my own merit.”
Chika Stacy has received numerous awards, including being recognised as one of Best Health Magazine’s 2020 Women of the Year and listed 37th on Maclean’s Power list for 2022.
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18-year-old mom emerges valedictorian, wins $600k in scholarships
Meanwhile, an 18-year-old mom, Trameka Pope, proved that anything could be achieved with determination. She emerged valedictorian in her high school despite all odds.
In addition to the prestigious award, Trameka was awarded $600k in scholarships to 25 universities in the United States.
Trameka, now a Master’s Degree holder in Public Health, shared her struggles of being homeless and a mom and how she motivated herself to attain the feat.
