Meet SAIT’s Spring 2026 valedictorians

From June 16 to 18, SAIT’s spring valedictorians will celebrate with classmates at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

SAIT’s 2026 valedictorians lead with courage, give back to the community and support peers with kindness and respect.

We asked them what they've enjoyed most about their time at SAIT, and what they're looking forward to in their next journey as SAIT alumni.

Sitti Rania Azra Alisangco

Journalism – Print and Online Diploma, School of Business

Born and raised in the Philippines, Sitti Rania Azra Alisangco was introduced to journalism through her mother’s work in the news industry. This shaped how she saw journalism — a responsibility to fight disinformation and serve the public. From then, she knew that it was her calling.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rania moved to Canada with her family and completed high school before pursuing the Journalism – Print and Online program at SAIT. Throughout her studies, she harnessed her leadership skills through LEADS and English Conversation Partners Program, and served as an Outreach Wellness Leader, where she advocated for mental wellness on campus. With Enactus SAIT, she also served as a Marketing Director and Project Manager, where she produced an entrepreneurial podcast.

She has received multiple student awards for her academic excellence, such as the David Pommer Excellence in Writing Award, Amber Webb-Bowerman Memorial Award and the Esmail and Safana Bharwani Award.

For Rania, completing her program marks the beginning of her path to serve the public with integrity, lend a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves and empower others through impactful storytelling.

What advice do you have for students to succeed?

Stay curious, don't be afraid to make mistakes and live in the moment — that's what post-secondary is for. Get slowly comfortable with pushing yourself out of your comfort zone because you will be surprised at how many doors it will open for you.

What is your favourite memory as a student #HereAtSAIT?

Among all the fun I had on campus, volunteering for the New Student Orientations will always have a special place in my heart. My two years here surely flew by, so it's always exciting for me to see new students opening a brand-new chapter of their lives.

What are you looking forward to most post-graduation?

It feels like everything throughout my SAIT journey has been building up to this moment, so I'm excited to apply the skills I learned from school to create positive impact in our communities and the workforce. Change starts with small actions, and I want to be part of that change and do work that matters.

Patrick Creery

Culinary Arts Diploma, School of Hospitality and Tourism

Ever the student, Patrick Creery has a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University (Drama) and a post-secondary diploma in classical theatre from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). He completed the Improvisor Training Program at Vancouver TheatreSports, is a conservatory graduate of Second City in Toronto, has a Public Relations Certificate from Mount Royal College (now Mount Royal University) and now a Culinary Arts diploma from SAIT!

Patrick has worked as an actor in both French and English in theatres across Western Canada and has appeared in television and film, worked at WestJet for almost 16 years as a flight attendant, and worked as an Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner and later as an Associate at NATIONAL Public Relations in Calgary. He has produced theatre performances, short films and web series, and lastly, was the COVID Testing Administrator for the Netflix production 13: The Musical, which shot in Toronto during a province-wide lockdown.

Patrick will be returning to SAIT in September to further his passion for culinary arts in the Baking and Pastry Arts program.

Lyndsay Greenwood

Integrated Water Management Diploma, MacPhail School of Energy

Hailing from Riverview, New Brunswick, Lyndsay Greenwood has always been led by her love for nature. In 2008, she completed a Bachelor of Science – Biology at St. Mary’s University before her passion for sustainability and conservation led her to enrol in the Integrated Water Management Program at SAIT.

Lyndsay channelled her dedication to her field into her role as the President of the SAIT Water and Sustainability Society, where she collaborated with students and organizations to organize and events, including alumni meet-and-greets, networking industry nights and the Calgary 2050 Sustainability Case Contest.

While completing her studies, Lyndsay worked and volunteered for various nature and environmental institutes such as Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Service and Parks Canada. She also worked as a Technical Science Student at the Alberta Energy Regulator, where her innovative water data management helped pave the way for future SAIT capstone projects.

Lyndsay looks forward to a career in the environmental sector to improve water management decisions and improve communication between stakeholders at every level of the decision-making process by leveraging new and innovative technology.

What advice do you have for students to succeed?

The more you put in, the more you get out! Every opportunity has the chance to unlock something meaningful and could impact the trajectory of your life. Don't be afraid of the unknown — sometimes that first step is the hardest, but you never know where the path might take you! 

What is your favourite memory as a student #HereAtSAIT?

Co-collaborating on the Water and Environment Industry Night and seeing a room full of industry professionals networking with the next generation of up-and-coming graduates and professionals. The shared passion and excitement could be felt throughout the whole room and really made me proud to have helped them come together. 

What are you looking forward to most post-graduation?

I'm really looking forward to continuing my growth and journey as a watershed planner and manager, and to help raise awareness about water use and sustainability initiatives. As our population grows and technology advances, the pressures on our natural resources are becoming more complex, and I am thrilled at the prospect of working towards a brighter and more sustainable future.

Al Kim Lutao

Bachelor of Applied Business Administration – Accounting, School of Business

Al Kim Lutao’s journey began on the quiet island of Siquijor, Philippines. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting in his home country, then took his expertise overseas to Dubai, where he worked for over six years before coming to Canada to pursue his Bachelor of Applied Business Administration – Accounting degree at SAIT.

Balancing work, studies and adapting to life in a new country, Kim became deeply involved in the community. He served as a Saitsa Director, was the inaugural President of SAIT Student Honour Society and volunteered as a mentor, then team lead, with the Peer Mentorship Program.

Kim has been recognized with the Outstanding LEADS Award and multiple scholarships, including the Don Wilson CA Memorial Scholarship, the Kenneth Biggs FCPA, FCA and Leona Biggs Scholarship, the Lou MacEachern Rotary Scholarship and the Jim Dewald Emerging Leaders Scholarship. In 2026, Kim was named Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta’s Capitalize Campus Star.

Today, Kim continues that journey as an Intermediate Tax Accountant at Ernst & Young, one step closer to the dream he carried across countries.

What advice do you have for students to succeed?

The biggest advice I can give is to simply be present — physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Attend events whenever you can, whether they’re at school, in the community or even online, because those opportunities can help you build meaningful connections with people who may support your success in the future.

What is your favourite memory as a student #HereAtSAIT?

My favourite memory has been the opportunity to lead and serve my fellow SAIT students, whether through volunteering at events, facilitating workshops or mentoring others. It has truly been a rollercoaster ride, but every challenge and experience was absolutely worth it.

What are you looking forward to most post-graduation?

Professionally, I look forward to earning my Chartered Professional Accountant designation in the near future. Personally, I am excited to travel the world and explore new places!

Felix Montanez

Software Development diploma, School for Advanced Digital Technology

Since arriving at SAIT to study software development, Felix Montanez has paired academic growth with meaningful service and leadership.

From his first semester, Felix volunteered as an English Conversation Partner to help English-language-learning students build confidence, and as a musician with the Interfaith Centre. He later applied his community-mindedness to Enactus SAIT, first as a member at large, later becoming the Research and Development Director. He also represented Enactus SAIT at Enactus Regional and National Expositions.

With a view towards sustainability, Felix led the Enactus SAIT HydraHerder project, a nationally recognized initiative harnessing the power of AI to detect water infrastructure leaks before they become disasters. The project earned national First Runner-Up at the Bentley iTwin4Good Competition and was recognized as one of the Top 10 projects in the League of Innovators Social Enterprise Accelerator. Felix also initiated EcoSphere — a partnership with SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services hub that uses green-building data for carbon audits and resource optimization — and a coffee grounds upcycling initiative.

Felix has been recognized with the Jack Moore Award and the Finning Canada Indigenous Student Endowment Fund Award.

Alongside his campus leadership, he completed a Data Analytics internship with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, later securing a full-time role as a Software Developer and Data Analyst.

What advice do you have for students to succeed?
Find your people. My success at SAIT would not have been possible without the support of my peers, classmates, instructors and mentors. Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way, and I encourage you to take on things that are challenging because those experiences will help you grow and improve. This journey will come with stumbles, but the important thing is to never give up. Keep going, keep learning and keep choosing to stand back up.

What is your favourite memory as a student #HereAtSAIT?
My favourite memory is representing SAIT in Enactus competitions and having the opportunity to meet with student entrepreneurs from other schools. Competing alongside passionate teams and learning from different perspectives was inspiring. It was an honour to represent the SAIT community and see the power of collaboration and innovation.

What are you looking forward to most post-graduation?
I am looking forward to working at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada as a Software Developer, where I can contribute to the Canadian aerospace industry and its future. SAIT gave me the skills, confidence and mindset to solve real problems, and I am excited to carry that into the next chapter.

SAIT Alumni

These are just two member of SAIT’s amazing alumni family. Stay connected through @saitalumni, check out alumni perks and, when you’re ready for your next lifelong learning step, check out these awards and other opportunities at sait.ca/alumni.