Agronomy student Paul Skretting is valedictorian at Lethbridge Polytechnic

Published 1:21 pm Thursday, April 30, 2026

Earlier this month it was announced that Agronomy student Paul Skretting was named valedictorian for Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Spring 2026 Convocation class. He will lead the procession of graduates and speak at the afternoon ceremony at 2 p.m. on May 22 in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.

“I was shocked,” said Skretting, when he heard he had been selected. “I am not your typical Ag student because I don’t come from a farm, so to graduate at the top of the class is quite an achievement for me.”

Growing up in Lethbridge and graduating from Catholic Central High School, Skretting said he chose to attend the polytechnic because it was close to home and offered the hands-on experience he needed to succeed.

His decision to pursue the Agriculture Sciences – Agronomy diploma, came from an inspiration from Skretting’s grandfather.

“My grandpa was a farmer, and he was the first person I ever worked for,” he says. “It kindled a joy and a yearning for knowledge in this industry. I have fond memories of spending weekends as a kid branding, fixing fences and freezing my fingers feeding cows in the winter.”

While Skretting says he experienced highlights of the Agriculture Sciences program “every week,” he especially enjoyed time in the campus greenhouse, along with field trips and networking events such as Ag Expo, Western Tractor Days and the Irrigated Crop Production Update.

Since working for his grandfather, Skretting has gained experience in the industry as an agriculture mechanic and, more recently, as an agronomist – a career he plans to continue after completing the polytechnic’s Bachelor of Agriculture Science post-diploma degree.

Skretting said he is grateful for the support he’s received along the way and would like to thank his family, friends and instructors for helping him reach this milestone.

Although Skretting may not consider himself a “typical” agriculture student, he says his journey shows there’s no single path into the industry – something he hopes future students will consider.

“Shoot for the moon,” he says. “You’ll never know if you enjoy it unless you give it a try.”