Foremost valedictorian doesn’t like wasting good opportunities

Commentator/Courier Photo Submitted by Samantha Johnson. TOP HONOUR: Ryker Hollingsworth is the valedictorian at Foremost School this year.

By Samantha Johnson
Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer

Ryker Hollingsworth knew the race for valedictorian of Foremost School was close. He and another classmate, who Hollingsworth is good friends with, were unsure which of them would receive the top honour. “We’ve always been neck and neck. I think we were both trying pretty hard because we were competing with each other,” said Hollingsworth, who added his friend might be the lucky one because he doesn’t have to give a speech at graduation.

When asked what motivates him to get high grades, Hollingsworth said, “I push myself because I feel like I owe it to all the people around me who have helped me so much to do my best. I feel like if I didn’t try my best that it would be a waste of a good opportunity.”

Raised on the family farm near Etzikom, Hollingsworth is cognizant the transition to post-secondary education will be a significant one. He’s already been accepted into the engineering program at Lethbridge Polytechnic and plans to complete one year there before transferring to the University of Alberta.

“I think one year closer to home will be better for the transition. It will be a big difference between here and the big city of Edmonton.”

Having always been interested in mechanics, Hollingsworth is leaning toward mechanical engineering but knows this might change during his first year of studies and wants to keep his options open before making a final decision prior to his second year. He chose engineering because he would prefer to build new things rather than fixing what already exists.

While he enjoys playing many sports, including volleyball and baseball, hockey is his first love and he’s been playing the game for as long as he can remember. “It’s the fast pace, in other sports you don’t really get that. The best memories you can make are in the dressing room and at away tournaments. It’s just so fun to be part of a team. I’ll miss it a lot,” concluded Hollingsworth.