黑料不打烊

On June 18, Alessia Panait stepped up to the podium as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 evening valedictorian, representing the 2025 graduating class from programs spanning Arts, Literature and Communication, Science, Visual Arts, and a spectrum of technical fields. Chosen through a rigorous selection and interview process, Alessia, and her counterpart for the afternoon ceremony, Aya Tir, earned the honour of addressing Dawson鈥檚 Class of 2025, capturing the spirit and ambition of a new generation of graduates.

Alessia鈥檚 journey at Dawson from a shy newcomer to a confident leader is a testament to the transformative power of embracing opportunity, community, and resilience.

Her experience was marked by her eagerness to participate beyond the classroom. She dove into the Neuroscience group led by Dr. H茅l猫ne Nadeau and Dr. Sylvia Cox, an involvement that led to a published scientific article following a summer internship in 2024. 鈥淒awson has given me the freedom to participate in many activities and take advantage of opportunities that came my way,鈥� Alessia reflected. Her time in the Enriched Science community helped her forge lasting friendships and launch new initiatives, such as the inaugural week of events celebrating Women and Girls in STEM and Medicine.

Her academic highlights are impressive: an Honourable Mention for Prose in the SPACE Writing Competition, a neuroscience internship at McGill鈥檚 NeuroPM lab, awards for outdoor education and academic excellence, and an invitation to speak at Enriched Science seminars. Alessia also helped organize a week of events that empowered female students in STEM, featuring poster sessions, workshops, and a talk by renowned AI researcher Dr. Doina Precup.

Growth Through Challenge and Support

Alessia鈥檚 transformation at Dawson was profound. She entered as a reserved student in Fall 2023 and graduated as a leader who could confidently address large audiences. 鈥淗ow I grew most was through my curiosity to participate in new activities, and working hard to achieve my goals,鈥� she said.

Doing well at CEGEP did not come easily for Alessia. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 the type of student to obtain great results without really trying,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 worked hard for my achievements, and when I had some setbacks, I worked even harder to push through. My Dawson journey was not easy, but it helped me learn more about myself and realize how capable I am if I put my mind to something.鈥�

Public speaking, once daunting, became a strength, thanks in part to supportive mentors and repeated practice. Academic challenges, especially in physics, were met with determination and seeking help from teachers, an approach she encourages for all students.

Taking advantage of the resources Dawson offers to students was a big part of overcoming her challenges, Alessia said. 鈥淢any times, going to see a teacher to explain a problem you don鈥檛 understand is a lot more efficient than googling the solution. Teachers are there to help you succeed, and I know it can seem daunting, but asking for help is almost always the best path to take.鈥�

Her favourite mentor, Dr. H茅l猫ne Nadeau, played a pivotal role. 鈥淪he has given students like me such great opportunities like the internship, which have truly helped me evolve so much as a person. My public speaking skills shot through the roof thanks to her and Dr. Sylvia Cox鈥檚 initiative for us to present our work every week during the internship,鈥� Alessia shared.

Building Community and Leading by Example

Alessia鈥檚 involvement extended to organizing events as the event coordinator for the Dawson Astronomical Society and as part of the Enriched Science Representatives. From Science Olympics to Cultural Day, she helped create a vibrant, inclusive community. 鈥淭hrough all these experiences, I developed my interests, found like-minded people, and discovered more about myself and my interests,鈥� she said.

Valedictorian Address: The Three Ps and a Message of Resilience

Alessia鈥檚 valedictorian speech was both lighthearted and deeply motivational. She opened with anecdotes about Dawson鈥檚 quirks鈥攍ike the ever-unreliable escalators and maze-like hallways鈥攂efore moving to the heart of her message: the Three Ps鈥擯assion, Perseverance, and Patience:

鈥淵ou鈥檇 think that extraordinary, successful people never fail. But no, take Roger Federer, a tennis legend. Out of the 1,526 matches he played, he won 80% of them. And get this, he only won 54% of the points in those matches! What did he learn? To never dwell on a single point. It鈥檚 important to put all your effort in that point, but once it鈥檚 over, the next challenge is waiting, and you need to be ready for it… Life is made up of moments like this. You work hard, sometimes it doesn鈥檛 go as planned, but you learn and keep moving forward. Success is accomplished through perseverance, not perfection.鈥�

She encouraged her peers to embrace patience, especially in a world of instant answers, and reminded them that 鈥渋f you put in the work, your success will come. One single failure is not representative; it is the continuous effort that truly matters.鈥�

Advice for Future Dawson Students and Looking Ahead

To incoming students, Alessia鈥檚 advice is simple: 鈥淏e curious, try new things, go out of your comfort zone. CEGEP is a time to adventure out of the simple school curriculum. There are so many opportunities at Dawson that it is an absolute must to take advantage of that. You never know what that new involvement may bring and how it may change your life.鈥�

As she prepares to begin Dentistry at McGill University, a dream made attainable through her Dawson experience, Alessia credits the college for helping her grow in confidence, resilience, and belief in her own potential.

Read Alessia’s full valedictorian speech.