Interview with the Valedictorian 2

Last year's Valedictorian election was somewhat controversial owing to the fact that very few people were aware of when voting would be held. This year the proceedings were much more high profile, and Christine Shalaby was elected Valedictorian for the class of 1998. Last week HTP talked to Christine about her victory and some other Valedictorian related issues.

HTP: How does it feel to be Valedictorian

Christine Shalaby: It feels about the same as it probably would if I wasn't Valedictorian. I am happy though, don't get me wrong. I guess in general it feels good.

HTP: What effect do you think the gender issue (i.e. there hasn't been a female Valedictorian since 1992) you brought up had on your victory?

CS: I think I was playing a bit dirty there, I probably shouldn't have brought that up. I was just thinking though, "What do I have that (the male candidates) don't" and it occurred to me that I have XX chromosomes, so maybe I should use that. Actually it wasn't meant to be a dirty political move, it was just meant to bring it to people's attention, because it is true, and I don't think that necessarily anybody knows that. I've been to five commencements, so I sort of noticed over the past five years.

HTP: Do you think the lack of female Valedictorians was the result of some kind of male conspiracy?

CS: I don't think so..

HTP: Just sheer coincidence?

CS: Well, like last year was kind of a weird nomination process, and I think the year before. Everybody who was chosen to be Valedictorian deserved it, like they were right, maybe not enough girls went after it or not enough girls wanted to.. I don't know.

HTP: So do you think the way the changed the election procedure was reflection of what happened last year?

CS: Oh yeah, I think that woke Mr. Stewart up.

HTP: With the whole Colin Riddel winning thing..

CS: I don't think it was the fact that Colin won, it was the way he won. The fact that nobody knew what was going on until it was announced.

HTP: What do you have planned in terms of your speech?

CS: I plan to wear a sequinned gown, and sing on a grand piano, just like lie on this grand piano, sing a big tribute to myself. No, not myself, someone else. Well that's really what I've planned, I haven't gotten too much further.

HTP: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the best), how would you rate our school?

CS: Well, in the words of Don McHoull, "This is the best school in the world."

In terms of how I would rank it, well I think it depends on the criteria you use, but overall Woodlands is like a seven... and a half.

HTP: Well at least that's better than mediocrity.

CS: Yeah, we're not mediocre.

HTP: What do you think about the commencement being held in the school?

CS: I've spent seven years in this school, and I've been eating in that cafeteria the whole time. We don't even have spring concerts in there, like Mrs. Barber doesn't even want us to have music concerts there, yet they say we can have a commencement? No offence, but which is more important? I realise that there are budget cutbacks, and like problems, but still there's got to be something that could be done.

HTP: Is there any chance of that being changed?

CS: Yeah, we're working on it. The four Valedictorian candidates sort of worked together to come up with some ideas.

HTP: Do you think Colin Riddel has sort of changed people's perceptions about what a Valedictorian should be?

CS: I think so. I think it showed people that you don't necessarily have to be the stereotypical "brainer" to be a good Valedictorian. And that's sort of the prevalent thing, "Oh you have to be this and that, and you have to win all of the awards, etc." Then Colin just proved that that's not necessary, that if you have a personality you can make a speech. So yes, I think he did.

HTP: Well congratulations.

CS: Thank you.