Former Hat High graduate receives Queen’s Platinum Award

nestdesk@medicinehatnews.com A former Medicine Hat High School student and valedictorian for the class of 2025 is among eight students in the province that was honoured during the Queen’s Platinum Awards held Tuesday night at Government House in Edmonton. Fatema Riaz, who was the valedictorian at MHHS in 2025, was presented with the prestigious award that The post Former Hat High graduate receives Queen’s Platinum Award appeared first on Medicine Hat News .

Former Hat High graduate receives Queen’s Platinum Award By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on July 16, 2026. NEWS FILE PHOTO Fatema Riaz, who was the valedictorian at MHHS in 2025, was presented with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award for excellence in academics. nestdesk@medicinehatnews.com

A former Medicine Hat High School student and valedictorian for the class of 2025 is among eight students in the province that was honoured during the Queen’s Platinum Awards held Tuesday night at Government House in Edmonton. Fatema Riaz, who was the valedictorian at MHHS in 2025, was presented with the prestigious award that recognizes outstanding scholastic achievements as well as those who display exceptional leadership, citizenship, volunteerism and public service. The honour is awarded to young Albertans whose service to others and their communities reflects the values exemplified by Queen Elizabeth II.

“The young Albertans we honour with these awards are already leaving their mark on our province,” said Tanya Fir, minister of arts, culture and status of women. “Through service, achievement and a commitment to those around them, they have earned this recognition and exemplify the spirit of excellence that these awards were created to celebrate.” Riaz was the recipient of the bronze award presented to a select few valedictorians each year who have achieved the highest average from a high school.

The award is among several other academic achievements Riaz has been recognized with. Last year she won a Senior Gold Medal at the Canada Wide Science Fair, she participated in an exclusive research program at the University of Lethbridge and scored several perfect or near perfect scores on her math and science high school diploma exams. Since graduation in 2025, Riaz has moved to Calgary where she continues to pursue her dreams as a biomedical researcher and she will be starting her second year of studies at the University of Calgary working toward her Bachelor of Health Sciences, a curriculum fundamentally focused on intensive research gathering.

During her summer break Riaz is conducting nephropathy research at the Foot-hills Hospital, specifically collecting research data on kidneys. This year Riaz also had the opportunity to serve as a judge at the Canada Wide Science Fair’s regional competition in Calgary, one year after winning a gold medal as a participant. 11 -10