Valerie Topacio

PROFILE: On June 13, 2010, 1,942 degrees and certificates were awarded at commencement ceremonies at Edmonds Community College (EdCC), a school approximately 30 miles north of Seattle. Of all those graduates, Jack Kent Cooke Scholar Valerie Topacio was chosen by faculty and fellow students to address the gathering that afternoon at Edmonds Stadium.    The young woman, bound for Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, is a superior student, gives her time to community service projects, and was a student athlete in basketball.   Initially, Valerie delayed joined the workforce after high school, delaying her college experience for a couple of years.   She recalls working in the insurance industry for two years and rolling through the motions within her eight-to-five routine, when internally, something snapped. “I no longer felt proactive working just to live, so I committed to myself that whatever I would be doing for a career, it would be something that was worth my while and something that I loved to do,” Valerie said. She  was drawn to the English and journalism classes at EdCC and returned to school to nurture and develop her interests in writing and publishing. Journalism has given her the opportunity to fuse her passion for writing with the environment and has given her endless opportunities to network and connect with local non-profit, tribes and organizations working towards sustainability.

INSPIRATION: The first instructor Valerie met at EdCC was Rob Harrill in his introduction to journalism class. After Valerie was named editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, The Triton Review, Professor Harrill, the paper’s advisor, became her most influential mentor. “He consistently challenged me with questions of media ethics and intellectually guided me to try to see all sides of a story,” Valerie said. “He inspired me to always question the other side and his sincerity reminded me what journalism is all about: people.”

ASPIRATION: Valerie plans to pursue a career in writing and environmental law and politics.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: At EdCC, faculty members were amazed how Valerie was able to participate in so many activities and keep so many balls in the air. During her second year, in addition to her editor-in-chief duties and her involvement with other organizations, she still managed to volunteer 12 hours-a-week for AmeriCorps. There, she worked with non-profit organizations and tribes to make fishing, farming, forestry, and recreation more sustainable, along with promoting watershed and salmon stewardship.

ACCOLADES: Valerie was a three-time winner of awards from the Society of Professional Journalists: 2009 National Winner, General News Reporting; 2009 Region 10 Mark of Excellence Award, General News Reporting; and 2008 Region 10 Mark of Excellence Award, Sports writing.

INTERESTING FACT: Despite being only 5’ 6”, Valerie was the leading rebounder on the EdCC Lady Tritons basketball team her freshman year.