By Narayan Mitra

ASHLEY RELLING was only one of some 700 graduates and four valedictorians at the spring convocation ceremonies of Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops last month.

But Relling, 21, was the only one who publicly affirmed God from the platform.

The valedictorian selection committee had suggested that she back down from the position she took in the  original draft of her speech.

She refused, insisting on recognizing God in every aspect of life; but she agreed to make a few cosmetic changes.

In her speech, she presented a fourfold Bible-based ‘formula’ for all-round growth – socially, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually  – to challenge the grads departing from the campus.

For Relling, “how we find purpose to choose and to seek after God” is a measure of one’s spiritual growth.

“As our time at TRU culminates,” she continued, “our character can’t be overlooked. Our passion and perseverance would triumph over our mistakes. As we thank our families, we ought to thank the Lord God also, as I am sure some of you are doing in this audience.

“Those who don’t share what I am saying, I offer two things: congratulations and a prayer. We wouldn’t be here if it were not for the grace of God,” she told a packed gathering, some of whom listened with quizzical looks.

At the reception, most grads thanked her for the speech. She received one contrary response, rudely expressed.

Relling grew up and attended high school in Vernon, where she earned a President’s Scholarship to TRU.

She excelled academically while pursuing her degree, making the list of top academic achievers on the Dean’s List each semester.

As well, she spent three semesters as a Residence Advisor, and a semester studying abroad at the University of Western Australia.

She has been involved in every aspect of theatre production with the TRU Actors Workshop ­– while pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in theatre.

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All through her four years, Relling was active in campus Christian activities and clubs.

With Proverbs 3:5-6 as a key part of her spiritual arsenal, she determined to ‘fight the good fight’ of faith from the very first day at university.

She took in the early morning prayer meetings, headed small groups, helped produce a theme-appropriate theatre production about Christmas, and taught Sunday school at the 12 Stones Chapel, the campus church.

Much of her zeal for glorifying God at university comes from her upbringing.

Devoted Christian parents took the children aside for family prayers every day, and taught them the value of memorizing scriptures while being home schooled.

At age12, Relling learned “what it all meant to me personally, and how to live the Bible for myself.”

At a Kelowna youth conference, she said, “I once listened to someone urging attendees how to pray and do the Lord’s Prayer. That day, the Bible came alive to me as the living, breathing word – not just a collection of pages.”

With one degree behind her, she returns to TRU this fall to pursue an education degree, working towards her career goal of becoming a high school principal.

July 2009