When Charlie Shi gave his valedictorian address at Cremona School’s graduation ceremony last week, the words he spoke gave the entire crowd cause to pause and reflect, with gratitude, for the educational system in Alberta.
Charlie moved to Canada from China with his older brother and parents in 2016. As a second child in a country that had permitted families to have one, Shi began his life in a challenging circumstance.
“I was born illegally in China. My father, a courageous defender of human rights, faced relentless persecution from the government. Because of this, my family was forced to live in the shadows. People looked down on us, and I couldn't attend ordinary schools like most children could, leading to two missed years of primary education,” said Charlie Shi in his valedictory address.
“Yet, despite these challenges, my father's unwavering belief in the power of education
remained deeply rooted in me. We lived in fear, yet he always encouraged me to pursue my
dreams relentlessly, emphasizing the value of knowledge. He understood that education is not just a path to personal success but a powerful tool for change,” said Shi.
When the Shi family arrived in Canada, they settled in Calgary. Surrounded by neighbors who
spoke Chinese, Shi’s parents wanted a more full immersion in English for their sons, so they
sent them to live with an uncle in Cremona.
That was nine years ago. 11-year old Charlie, without any ability to speak English, and having
missed two years of school, began attending Grade 4 in the rural Alberta school.
“At first I couldn’t really talk to anyone else,” he said. “I was nervous. The other students were
kind to me, and invited me to play. They included me. And they told me when I made mistakes in English,” said Shi.
In his valedictory address Shi acknowledged the power of his school friendships. “I want to
thank my classmates and my teachers, because I wasn’t able to speak any English, not one
word. You all helped me learn the language. Thank you,” he said.
Between Grade 4 and his graduation, Shi applied himself to learning the language, and catching up in school. He shared that “when I finally arrived in Canada, I was awestruck by the opportunities available here. I could attend school freely, learn without fear, and express myself without the looming shadow of persecution. I poured my heart into my studies, striving to make up for those lost years. With determination, I sought to seize every opportunity that this new land offered.”
Shi’s accomplishment of becoming the school’s valedictorian, only a handful of years after
arriving in Canada, is a testament to the power of rural education, said Principal Darryl Korody. “For Charlie, the advantage of a smaller rural school was a full immersion in English with supportive peers. And we’ve all benefited from having Charlie in our school. Increased diversity and perspectives are incredibly valuable for all of us,” he said.
Charlie’s uncle, Joseph Shi, said, “We are very proud of Charlie because he has overcome
many life obstacles and graduated with quite satisfying marks. It’s really meaningful to get an education in Canada, because he learns real knowledge and about being honest which will be helpful in his future life.” He said, “we hope Charlie can get further education in Canada or in the United States and be a useful person for society.”
Charlie Shi does hope to take post secondary training. He is interested in engineering.
As he begins to walk the journey towards his own dreams, Charlie Shi encouraged his peers. “I urge you to pursue your dreams fearlessly. Let your passion guide you, and your education
empower you,” he said.
And Charlie Shi encouraged fellow graduates to appreciate their education and the
opportunities that come from living in a democratic country.
“As we leave this school and venture into the world, let us remember the privileges we enjoy, the opportunities we have, and the responsibility that comes with them,” he said.
“Let us be thankful for living in a democratic and constitutional country. We are adults now, and taking part in democracy is both our right and our duty. If we take it for granted, we might lose all of these privileges, and our next generations may suffer bitter experiences like mine. We have a duty to use our education to make the world a better place.”
Story Submitted by: Laurette Woodward, Chinook's Edge School Division
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