In photos: Celebrating Sheridan's winter 2026 valedictorians

Sheridan celebrated seven convocation ceremonies from March 10-12 at the Embassy Grand in Brampton, where certificates, diplomas and degrees were conferred on over 3,800 new graduates from all Faculties. 

As an academic tradition, convocation ceremonies recognize a student representative of the graduating class of that Faculty to speak on behalf of their classmates. The valedictorians are chosen based on both their academic success and their contributions to the Sheridan community. These seven valedictorians gave their speeches with passion and enthusiasm as they reflected on their experience at Sheridan, shared the wisdom they’d gained and offered inspiration and encouragement for the journey ahead. 

These are the Class of 2025 valedictorians. 

Nathan Josiah Sasing – Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design (FAAD)

Nathan knows what it’s like to face uncertainty and change. An international student from the Philippines, he started a new chapter at Sheridan, studying in the Music Scoring for Screen & Stage program. He noted that many fellow students felt the same uncertainty, whether coming from another country or city, or stepping into a creative space that asked them to be vulnerable. “What we create and how we serve comes from our experiences, our personalities, and our stories shaped into something meant to be shared,” he said in his speech. “And while not everyone may fully understand or connect with what we make, we keep making it anyway, because creativity, in all its forms, still has something important to say in the world we’re entering.” A composer and audio professional, Nathan exemplified Sheridan values of artistic excellence, professionalism and generosity of spirit. 

Lovepreet Dhillon – Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHASS) 

Lovepreet came to Sheridan as an international student in the General Arts and Science diploma program. She shared how at first she was afraid to speak up because of her imperfect English, but she overcame that fear as her professors patiently helped her find her voice and her confidence. “One of the most important lessons I learned at Sheridan is simple but powerful: never give up on yourself. Even when you feel lost. Even when you make mistakes. Even when you doubt your abilities,” she said. “Growth is not always loud or perfect. It often looks like struggle. Sometimes it looks like starting over. But every step forward matters.” Lovepreet hopes to combine her passion for biology and helping others into a future career in nursing.  

Aika Tsoi – Faculty of Applied Science and Technology (FAST) 

Aika’s educational path towards completing Sheridan’s Architectural Technology program was filled with self doubt and did not unfold as she expected. “I began my postsecondary journey in university, believing it defined achievement,” Aika shared in her speech. “When I stepped away and chose college instead, it wasn’t an easy decision, and it felt uncertain at the time. But being at Sheridan changed that perspective. I came to understand something important: success isn’t defined by a single path or timeline. It’s defined by growth, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward, even when your journey looks different from what you imagined.” Her professors noted that she continuously pushed her work beyond the minimum requirements and was a supportive and positive presence among her peers. 

Mackenzie McPhee - Faculty of Applied Science and Technology (FAST)

Mackenzie graduated from Sheridan’s Welding Techniques certificate program, where she discovered that learning wasn’t just fractions and calculations, machines and technical systems. It was also discovering the deep meaning of friendship, perseverance and community. She spoke about the change that she and her classmates experienced from their first day of studies through to convocation, going from nervous and uncertain to confident and prepared to take on new challenges. “Our graduating class represents such beautiful diversity in skills, talents, and dreams,” Mackenzie said. “Some of you may move away for new opportunities, others of you may continue your education, and still others might start an exciting apprenticeship. Yet we are united by the values and education we received here.”

Karina Bray - Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies (FAHCS)

Many of the lessons that Karina Bray learned in her Animal Care certificate studies were grounded in the foundation her parents provided while growing up on a farm. Through textbook learning and lectures that complemented experience, intuition and community, she discovered a fundamental truth about the natural world: that every part of an ecosystem matters, from the organisms in the soil to the birds in the sky. She and her classmates are now prepared to stand on the threshold of something new. “We are no longer the same people who first began. We are now strong enough — both as individuals and as a community — to face the world with confidence, to stand our ground when necessary, to remain curious and committed to learning, and to use our strength thoughtfully and responsibly.” 

Luvraj Tyagi – Pilon School of Business (PSB) 

Luvraj knows the importance of resilience. An independent international student since his teens, he navigated a new country, supported his family and balanced work with studies on his way to earning his Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance) degree. Through all of it, Luvraj has been committed to service and impact, volunteering with the campus food bank to help distribute thousands of essential supplies to students and community members. He has learned that leadership is not about standing above others, but standing beside them. “As we step forward, the world will ask what skills we bring. But what we truly carry is something deeper: adaptability, courage, and the understanding that success means lifting others as we rise,” Luvraj said. “The future will not always be predictable. But if the past few years have taught us anything, it is that we are ready.”  

Geneva Garcia - Pilon School of Business (PSB) 

Geneva discovered her confidence while studying in the Advertising – Account Management certificate program. She moved from the Philippines to study at Sheridan, and with a background in both pharmacy and interior design, her path was not straight. Through the challenges, she learned that you do not need to feel ready to begin. “Courage is not confidence. Courage is showing up while you are still shaking. That is one of the biggest lessons we are taking with us,” Geneva said. “Confidence comes after the work. Practice creates it. We earn it through projects, presentations, and showing up again and again.” She reminded her classmates to keep showing up, and always be willing to learn, revise and try again. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 valedictorians!

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