Valedictorian earned education beyond classroom walls

Amy Chedore, Valedictorian

How does a student cap a university career rife with extracurricular accomplishments?

“During my time at St. Thomas I’ve tried to do everything I could. Running for valedictorian was just the last thing that I could do as a St. Thomas student,” says Amy Chedore, who was elected by her peers to be valedictorian at Convocation 2001.

Amy has made St. Thomas more than a full-time affair, dedicating her mind and her time to St. Thomas far beyond the classroom. “I felt I owed [valediction] to myself after working so hard and giving my heart and sweat and tears to everything I’ve done here, to try to do this one final thing.”

After graduating from Fredericton High School in 1997, Amy has embodied the liberal arts concept projected by St. Thomas. The 22-year-old has starred in two Theatre St. Thomas productions (The Kitchen and Brilliant Traces), worked as a writer and sports editor for The Aquinian (campus newspaper), ground out four years on the rugby field, worked as the Students’ Union Secretary for one year, twice journeyed to New York City for the Model United Nations (this past year as head delegate), functioned this year as Secretary-General for the John Peters Humphrey Model United Nations (held at St. Thomas), and worked as vice-president (policy) for the New Brunswick Student Alliance.

In addition, Amy volunteered at the Student Help Centre and served as a member of numerous committees. She received the Tom McCann award this year for her leadership roles and contributions to the University.

“Sometimes I feel like I’ve spent the last four years outside of the classroom instead of in it,” Amy explains. “But the lessons I’ve learned about communication, organisation, and especially dealing with people are invaluable. I think I’ve had a very rich experience at St. Thomas and I’ve developed a lifestyle that I will strive to continue after my degree — even with the stress levels I’ve experienced!”

Interestingly, Amy really began considering St. Thomas after registrar Larry Batt approached her. “He stopped me one day. We were in the Legislature on a snow day (we were on the School Parent Advisory Commitee and the District Parent Advisory Council committees together), and as we were leaving Larry said, ‘You should come to STU. You’d be eligible for a scholarship, and it’s a great school.’ So he took down my address and shortly after I received a package in the mail.”

Enticed by the scholarship (she received the Rev. Bernard McMahon award) and convinced by the course offerings, Amy enroled at St. Thomas and embraced its extracurricular offerings. “I expected to join the rugby team and maybe audition for a play or something, but I guess I just couldn’t stay away from anything that even slightly interested me,” she relates. “I guess I just didn’t want to waste any opportunity while I was here.”

Amy has spent countless hours this year working as head delegate for St. Thomas’ United Nations team and as Secretary-General for the Model UN. “In September, I was aware that this year would fly by before I knew it, and it certainly has,” she says.

“Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly put more on my plate I went for seconds — or something. It has been very busy with late nights and early mornings. I’ve managed by prioritizing excessively.”

She credits her good friends, her parents Allan and Linda and her sister Eva for assisting her throughout the past year.

“They bring me coffee and drive me around when my car dies and take care of the little things that are stressing me out,” she says. “They have certainly held onto my sanity for me.”

Like her fellow graduates, Amy feels no absolute certainties await her in the future. She will use the next few months to determine which avenue of History she might follow at a graduate school, and also to ponder which directions her diploma will lead her. “Really,” she says, “I’m not worried. I know that if I can do this — these last four years of university — I can do anything that I set my mind to.”