There are three pillars built into the core of Cochrane High School, and class of 2022 valediction Keisha Basi embodies them all – community, character and commitment.
In addition to achieving the highest academic average in her grade this year, the Cobra graduate leaned into various extracurriculars to better herself and the people around her from the first time she stepped foot in the school four years ago.
“I was part of the senior leadership program for the past three years, our blood drive club, and this year I joined the ultimate [frisbee] team,” said Basi. “Outside of the school, I’ve also been a dancer for 14 years.”
In the valedictorian speech she delivered at the convocation ceremony June 3, Basi encouraged her fellow graduates to continue living by a model of giving back to the community, building character and demonstrating commitment wherever life takes them – better known as the “three Cs” of Cochrane High.
She also gave her colleagues kudos for accomplishing the many feats they did after enduring a two-year break from organized sports and other extracurricular activities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been amazing to see all the incredible things we’ve achieved this past year despite the many obstacles in our path,” said Basi. “Several of our sports team made it to provincials, our band and performing arts programs had their first live shows since Grade 10, our speech and debate club won their competition this year, our leadership program organized many terrific events for the school, and all our clubs came back in full force.”
One of the highlights this year was the return of the Cochrane Classic Hockey Game between Cochrane High and Bow Valley High School, organized by the senior leadership programs from both schools.
In all, the programs were able to raise $4,375 in support of the Cochrane Activettes Food Bank. The event also featured an appearance by Calgary Flames hockey player and Cochrane High School alumnus Dillon Dube.
Basi said that as she approaches her last few days of high school, she’s going to miss the sporting events and the pep rallies. But most of all, she said she’ll miss the “little things,” like hanging out in the snake pit (a student commons area in the school) during spares and studying for tests with friends.
She'll have plenty more studying opportunities at the University of Calgary next year, where she plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in neuroscience.
The valedictorian's last piece of advice to her peers as they get ready to embark on the next chapter was captured in a famous two-word phrase by the Roman poet Horace in 23 BC, and it still rings true to this day.
“Don’t be afraid to try new things or to take chances,” she said. “Like I’m sure we’ve learned over the last few years, the future is unpredictable. You should seize every opportunity you’re given because you truly never know when you’ll get another.”
