North Battleford Comprehensive High School Class of 2025. (Submitted photo/Mark Kotchorek)
Comp Grad

NBCHS Class of ’25 look towards their future

Jun 27, 2025 | 1:18 PM

A humble message of love and being in service to others was what Valedictorian Ruhan Yi wanted to impart on his fellow classmates and friends.

“When we try to step into the world maybe we would like to have some sense of that vision to – it’s not about just ourselves – but also taking care of others and especially our parents, staff and family members who really, really cared about us,” he said.

The Class of 2025 officially moved their tassels to the left side on Friday at North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) and the energy in the school was a mix of nervousness and excitement for what lies ahead.

Ruhan Yi lines up with his name tag during graduation day. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

“I still can’t believe it’s happening and I’m also excited to finish off this chapter, but I believe that this is the end of the beginning,” he said.

The young academic won a full-ride scholarship to Colgate University in Hamilton, NY and is moving in August. When he got a call from NBCHS Principal Jay Nichol to say that he was named as the student who would take to the stage and deliver the address, Yi grew emotional.

“It was a moment that I had been dreaming for I would say over three years,” he said.

“Being here and representing the true Vikings is such an honour and I’d like to thank God for this opportunity as well.”

According to Nichol, this year the school has 142 graduates – the highest number he’s had during his tenure.

“I’m very proud of them and looking forward to celebrating with them today and recognizing all their efforts to walk across that stage,” he said.

For new grad Chloe Semeniuk, the day was surreal.

Both she and Mikaela Puetz will be going to the University of Saskatchewan for kinesiology and nursing respectively, and they are looking towards their future.

Chloe Semeniuk and Mikaela Puetz are excited during graduation day. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

“We, definitely as a senior class united near the end of year as we’ve realized that some of us won’t see each other for a long time and just cherish these moments and you blink and it goes by too quick,” said Semeniuk.

Puetz added that they had a great high school experience.

“We got to spend so much time with our friends and just build the great memories that will stay with us forever.”

Yi recognized that his Generation Z friends are sensitive to people’s recognition, respect and admiration and said they are self-driven and self-focused.

“Being able to appreciate [the support] and being able to be grateful about those moments and sharing love with others is something tha’s much [more] valuable,” said the teen.

The principal said that Yi’s own success included ending his high school career with a roughly 98.5 per cent grade average.

“He’s been working very hard,” Nichol said.

Kaleb Mooswa gets help with his cap from Karla Yarrow while Marquis Moosomin looks on. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

“Academically, he is outstanding and there’s others that challenged him too, but he has been working very hard and so I was happy we were able to recognize his efforts.”

As his pupils go on with their lives with attributes like resilience and working with one another, the princiapl believes they’re prepared to face whatever comes next.

“I’m very proud of all of them and looking forward to what they do.”

julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social

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