PAMELA SAN DIEGO Valedictorian, Class of 2026 on The Quiet Power of Showing Up.

When Pamela San Diego first arrived at Booth University College, she called it a "leap of faith."

By the time she took the podium as the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, that leap had transformed into a masterclass in structural resilience.

While completing her Bachelor of Social Work, Pamela San Diego balanced the responsibilities of serving as Student Council President, working as a Student Engagement Coordinator with Student Services at Booth UC, and leading several student volunteer initiatives—including partnering with the West Broadway Bear Clan Patrol to organize regular Bear Clan walks—while supporting her mother through a terminal cancer diagnosis until her passing.

Rather than allowing loss to diminish her, Pamela San Diego transformed her grief into meaningful service, strengthening the Booth University College community through compassionate leadership, advocacy, and a deep commitment to belonging.

Her dedication was recognized with the Chancellor's Medal, presented by Commissioner Lee Graves in recognition of her exceptional academic achievement, spiritual development, and campus leadership.

Pamela, what does becoming the 2026 Booth UC Valedictorian mean to you? 

Initially, becoming valedictorian was a dream my mom had for me. After she passed away, it remained something I carried with me, but it wasn't until my final term that it truly became my own goal.

By then, it represented something much deeper than academic achievement. It became a way to prove to myself that despite the struggles, grief, and mental battles I faced throughout my degree, I was still capable of finishing what I started.

"At a time when I questioned my ability to reach the finish line, a mentor, Jennifer Meixner, told me, "Now I'm telling you, you can't give up. We're going to get you to the end." Those words stayed with me throughout the remainder of my degree, reminding me that resilience is often built by taking one step forward, even when the destination feels out of reach."

"Becoming the 2026 Booth University College Valedictorian is a reminder that resilience can exist alongside hardship, and that even through life's most difficult seasons, growth and perseverance are possible.

After convocation, I went directly to my mom's resting place to tell her that we had finished this journey together.

From the very beginning, this dream had always belonged to both of us, and standing there, I knew that although she was no longer beside me, every step of the journey had carried her with me."

Your Valedictorian address beautifully highlighted "the quiet power of showing up for one another." In a world that often celebrates individual achievement, why is a culture of belonging the ultimate prerequisite for academic success? 

For me, academic success was never something I achieved alone. There were many moments throughout my degree when grief, personal struggles, and self-doubt made it difficult to keep going.

What helped me persevere was knowing there were people who continued to show up for me—professors and staff who believed in me, classmates who checked in, mentors who encouraged me, friends who sat with me in difficult moments, and a campus community that made me feel seen and valued.