Computer Information Technology (CIT) student Mary Lou Masculino has been named valedictorian for Lethbridge Polytechnic's Fall 2025 Convocation. Originally from Victorias City, Philippines, Masculino arrived in Lethbridge in July 2023 as an international student.
She says she was surprised and deeply honoured to learn she had been selected to represent the fall graduating class as valedictorian.
"It felt surreal," says Masculino. "When I met with Registrar Marko Hilgersom, and he explained everything to me, I was slowly processing the news. At the back of my mind, I kept asking myself if I was understanding the situation correctly. It was such an unexpected and amazing honour."
Masculino had been working in IT audit and compliance prior to enrolling at the polytechnic. She says the decision to return to school was guided by a desire to build stronger foundational skills, something Masculino considers essential to becoming an effective auditor in the future.
She says she found particular value in the CIT program's practical focus.
"For me, it struck the right balance between lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions," she says. "Getting to work directly with computers, routers, firewalls and more helped bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. This has helped [my classmates and me] to be ready for any career after graduation."
Timothy Frantz, CIT instructor and valedictorian nominator, says Masculino's hard work, dedication and focus on excellence made her a standout student.
"Mary Lou was a leader in the classroom," says Frantz. "She was seldom vocal, but her example of attention to detail, delivering more than asked for, developing a superior final product and overall professionalism inspired her classmates to reach deeper and perform much higher. Her professional style and demonstrated knowledge truly raised the bar' for her 71 classmates."
Masculino also acknowledges the community she found on campus that helped her adjust to life in a new country and succeed in her studies.
"[It] was a challenge at first," she says. "But with my family's support and the friendships I developed with my classmates, it quickly became bearable and then eventually fun and memorable. I am grateful for the support system I found here."
Masculino is currently working as a research assistant in the University of Lethbridge's Department of Neuroscience, and she has plans to return to the IT audit and compliance field. She is also considering pursuing additional industry certifications to strengthen her qualifications.
Masculino will lead the procession of graduates and speak at Lethbridge Polytechnic's Fall 2025 Convocation ceremony planned for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.
For more information, go to lethpolytech.ca/convocation.
