116 ways to say Hello: Stephanie’s passion for the language of belonging

Stephanie Ohlmann's picture

116 ways to say Hello: Stephanie’s passion for the language of belonging

Stephanie Ohlmann's pictureAbbotsford is a diverse place, shaped by many cultures, nationalities, and backgrounds. But how often do we pause to truly recognize just how diverse this city is? Would it surprise you to learn that over 116 different languages are spoken in Abbotsford today?

For Stephanie Ohlmann, a UFV student, that surprising fact became the heart of a journey she never imagined.

Stephanie is no stranger to hard work. As an Educational Assistant for over a decade, she has supported students with diverse learning needs while pursuing not just one but two degrees and a certificate at UFV — a Bachelor of Arts in English, an Indigenous Studies Certificate, and a Bachelor of Integrated Studies focusing on Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI), and Multiculturalism.

After beginning her university journey years ago, Stephanie stepped away to focus on working directly with children and families. But when life presented a crossroads, she made a courageous choice: to return to UFV and finish what she started. Not only that, but she expanded her academic ambitions to address the gaps she saw — particularly around Indigenous knowledge and multicultural education.

And then came the project that changed everything.

From class assignment to community engagement

Stephanie’s passion project, “It Starts With Hello”, was born from a children’s literature assignment in an English class on Diversity and Accessibility. The task: find a way to make a children’s story more inclusive and accessible. Drawing from her experiences with students, Stephanie decided to explore the simple power of greeting someone in their own language.

She began by asking: How many languages are actually spoken in Abbotsford? What she uncovered blew her away — not 20, not 50, but 116 languages. This discovery sparked a mission: to learn how to say “hello” in every single one.

Her work evolved quickly. From recording multilingual greetings on interactive buttons for a class display to securing a UFV Student Research Grant, Stephanie’s project took on a life of its own. She became a City of Abbotsford Ambassador, presented to the Community Belonging Collaborative Abbotsford (CBCA), and even launched dedicated social media platforms to share her journey. But Stephanie didn’t stop there.

A Book to celebrate every child’s voice

Recognizing how few children’s books reflect the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of her community, Stephanie set out to create her own. Her soon-to-be-published children’s book, “Hello Abbotsford”, will introduce young readers to the many ways people greet one another across cultures.

“Every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated,” Stephanie says. “When we learn to say hello in someone’s home language, it’s more than a word — it’s an act of recognition and inclusion.”

With the support of UFV faculty like Dr. Michelle Superle and advisors like Dr. Wade Deisman, Associate Dean of Social Sciences at UFV, Stephanie is turning her research into a powerful educational tool — one that she hopes will foster empathy, belonging, and intercultural understanding among the next generation.

At its heart, Stephanie’s work is about more than just words. It’s about reshaping how we understand belonging.

“We all deserve to be welcomed as we are,” she explains. “So many people feel they have to change parts of themselves — even their names — to fit in. I want to help change that. I want people to feel proud of their languages, cultures, and identities.”

By bringing awareness to the diversity that already exists within Abbotsford, Stephanie hopes to spark a broader community conversation — one that starts, simply, with hello.

As she looks ahead to graduating with her BA and Indigenous Studies Certificate in 2026 and completing her BIS by 2028, Stephanie knows her journey is far from over. Whether in classrooms, community events, or the pages of her children’s book, she continues to remind us that inclusion, respect, and celebration begin with the smallest of gestures. It also could start with “hello”.

Cultivating Creativity and Shaping Chilliwack’s Arts Scene: Jean-Louis Bleau and the Chilliwack Cultural Centre

Jean-Louis Bleau is a versatile professional whose career has woven through various roles in the arts sector. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, his journey encompasses experiences as an arts administrator, music artistic director, professional conductor, and university educator. Beyond his professional achievements, Jean-Louis finds inspiration in sailing, running, and other water-related sports, activities that ground him and fuel his creativity.

“My motivation to pursue a career in the creative arts sector is rooted in my experiences and professional journey.  As an arts administrator and artistic director, I have seen firsthand the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. The ability to spark creativity, facilitate collaboration, and drive cultural development has been incredibly fulfilling.”

At the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, Jean-Louis oversees a diverse range of programs aimed at enriching the cultural fabric of the community. His dedication stems from a desire to create meaningful experiences, support emerging talents, and contribute to a vibrant cultural landscape.

“Working here has allowed me to curate diverse and engaging programs, which has only deepened my commitment to this field,” he adds.

One of the highlights of Jean-Louis’s tenure has been his involvement with practicum students from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV).

“Supervising practicum students in a student-led festival has been a deeply rewarding experience. These exceptional students were proactive and required only minimal guidance.”

The TakeOver Festival was a student-led festival that has proven instrumental in engaging the community through unique performances, enhancing cultural offerings, and strengthening ties with local residents. Through hands-on involvement, students gained practical experience in organizing and executing major events, refining their skills in project management, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

“This experience not only provides them with a platform to showcase their talents but also builds confidence in their abilities, essential for their professional development,” he emphasizes.

Reflecting on the impact on the organization and the community, Jean-Louis highlights the benefits of integrating student perspectives and innovations into their programming.

“For our organization, it brings fresh ideas and enriches our events. For the community, it fosters an inclusive environment where emerging talents are celebrated, and diverse voices are heard. Witnessing the diversity of plays and films, feeling the energy in the lobby, and marvelling at the talents of the performers was a fantastic and inspiring experience,” Jean-Louis concludes.

Mapping Ancient Flood Deposits in the Langley Bog: A Student Research Program

J Hughes

Dr. J Hughes, UFV Associate Professor, Geography and the Environment, 2018 

“When I first got to UFV in 2006, retiring professor, Don Tunstall, had left this box of Kodachromes on my desk,” says UFV associate professor Dr. J Hughes, a bio-geographer and paleoecologist in the department of Geography and the Environment.

First used in the 1930s, a Kodachrome is a 35 mm slide used for professional colour photography. “I started looking through them thinking these are kind of interesting” says Hughes. Hughes discovered that the Kodachrome slides had originally come from a local farmer during the 1948 flood, who had recorded images and field notes of damaged properties in the Matsqui and Hatzic areas.

Read moreMapping Ancient Flood Deposits in the Langley Bog: A Student Research Program