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Coaldale teen gets surprise valedictorian news from Kate Andrews staff

It’s a surprise one Coaldale teenager won’t soon forget.

17 year old Owen Gallagher was mowing the lawn at his grandmother’s house on Friday when a fire truck, sirens blazing, and a handful of Kate Andrews High School staff in their vehicles pulled up to the house.

Over a megaphone, his principal, Daniel Grimes, announced Gallagher had been named the Class of 2020 Valedictorian.

“I just finished my calculus course two days ago, so I’m finally just getting a chance to relax a little; less school work to do,” he said, adding he’d never even finished top three in his grade until last year.

With traditional graduation ceremonies cancelled due to COVID-19, Gallagher’s speech will be recorded and downloaded onto a flash drive along with messages from staff to the graduating class.

Grads will head to the KAHS gym in small groups over a staggered schedule on June 19, to pick up a gift bag with the flash drive, their diploma, pose for photos, and take home a pre-ordered catered meal.

Gallagher has plans to attend the Engineering program at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan Campus in September if student residence is open by then.

Tina Karst
Tina Karst
A Lethbridge College alumnus, Tina moved back to the community two years after convocation, in September 2007, to become a member of the CJOC News Team. She started as a weekend reporter/anchor and now serves as Associate News Director. When Tina's not tracking down local news, she's either busy at home with Jordan and their two kids or creating custom macrame pieces for a growing list of clients.
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