Jacqueline Pankiw and Alina Derksen are the valedictorians at Morris School this year, and will be graduating today.

Pankiw is from Dufrost and has direct entrance into Science at the UofM, and hopes to become a nurse practitioner.

She's always been fascinated by science, and excels in the fields of chemistry, biology and pre-calculus.

"I love helping people and I love just being in the community, so I figured those two really match up and I can become a nurse and help the community that way," said Pankiw.

Highlights for Pankiw included WE Day at the Bell MTS Place.

"Just seeing all the schools there that are involved in the same programs I'm involved in, and seeing they're getting involved that young, that was a highlight of my year," she explained.

Pankiw outlined what their valedictorian speech will be about.

"We're giving pieces of advice to the grads, and what we think is important in life, and what we think they should take from their high school career."

Pankiw is part of the Social Justice Club, Kids Caring for Kids, Teens Against Destructive Decisions, and the Winkler Junior Rifle Club where she's an accomplished target shooter.

Alina Derksen is from St. Malo and spent time deciding on what she would do after graduating high school this year. She contemplated a career as a veterinarian, police officer, doctor or nurse.

Derksen has decided she will be going to UofM with the goal of becoming an architect.

She said participating in sports was a highlight for her.

"Definitely soccer and volleyball season because I like being physically active, and with the sports I also get to connect with students and we bond," said Derksen.

She noted cheering each other on helped her teams create strong friendships. Derksen was part of the soccer and volleyball team, and student council.

One of her accomplishments was doing well in English Language Arts.

"When I moved here (from Germany), it was my goal to learn how to pronounce certain things and expand my vocabulary. When I write an essay in English it was always my goal that the teacher likes it."

Both students are excited to see what the future holds for them and to create new friendships as they head off to university.

The Morris School has a graduating class of 28 students and a decoration theme of 'enchanted nights'.