A New Year, New Beginnings: British Columbia Welcomes its First Babies of 2025
The first moments of 2025 were filled wiht joy as two families in British Columbia welcomed their newborns, marking the start of a new year with new life.
In Kamloops, Jordan and Elijah Hill celebrated the arrival of their son, Emerson, just two minutes past midnight on Wednesday. Weighing in at a healthy 3.22 kg, Emerson was born at Royal Inland Hospital, making him the first baby born in the province in 2025.
Interestingly, emerson’s arrival was a bit of a surprise, as he was due on January 3rd. His father,Elijah,proudly shared that Emerson’s name was inspired by Seattle Mariners baseball player Emerson Hancock.
Meanwhile, in New Westminster, Jamie Carballo and Jeremy Borys welcomed their own bundle of joy at 12:07 a.m. at Royal Columbian Hospital. Their baby, weighing 3.18 kg, is yet to be named.
These heartwarming stories highlight the beautiful cycle of life and the excitement that comes with welcoming new members into the world. As of January 2023, British Columbia’s population is estimated to be over 5.2 million, and these newborns are sure to contribute to the province’s vibrant and diverse community.
Welcoming the First Arrivals of 2025: A Look at BC’s New Year Babies
The dawn of a new year often brings joy and new beginnings, symbolized by the arrival of precious newborns. Across British Columbia, hospitals welcomed their first babies of 2025, marking the start of a fresh chapter for these families.
In Victoria, the first cries of the year echoed at 12:07 a.m. at Victoria General Hospital. Zion Ebo Zormelo-Kika, a healthy baby boy weighing 3.64 kg, became the first Vancouver Island baby of 2025.
Simultaneously occurring, in Vancouver, St. Paul’s Hospital celebrated the arrival of Deena Suna at 11:10 a.m. Weighing in at 3.18 kg, Deena is the cherished granddaughter of Uma Suna and her partner.
While Vancouver Island Health Authority and Providence Health Care shared details of these heartwarming arrivals,Vancouver Coastal Health and northern Health did not release information regarding births on January 1st.
These early arrivals join the estimated 45,000 babies born in British Columbia each year, contributing to the province’s vibrant and growing population. As these newborns embark on their life journeys, thay represent hope, promise, and the enduring cycle of life.
new Beginnings on the Field and Off: A Conversation with Olympian Emily Jackson
Every year, we’re reminded of life’s precious cycle as we celebrate new beginnings, and what better way to usher in a new year than with the arrival of new life? Across British Columbia, hopes and dreams were bundled up in tiny bundles of joy as families welcomed thier first babies of 2025. We have the honor of discussing this heartwarming news with none other than Olympic medalist and BC native, Emily Jackson.
Moderator: Emily, thanks for joining us on this special occasion. As a top athlete, you’ve experienced the intensity of competition and the thrill of victory. Does the arrival of these newborns inspire you in a different way, reminding us that there’s more to life than medals and records?
Emily Jackson: Absolutely! Seeing these little ones reminds me of the big, gorgeous picture.sport is a passion, but life is about so much more. These newborns represent pure potential, and that’s incredibly inspiring. It’s a reminder that every day is a new opportunity to grow, learn, and make a difference.
Moderator: Speaking of potential, one of the newborns, Emerson Hill, was named after Seattle mariners pitcher Emerson Hancock. Sports frequently enough influence our lives in unexpected ways. How has your own athletic journey been influenced by role models, and what message would you have for young athletes just starting their paths?
Emily Jackson: Having role models is essential. For me, it was seeing women like Catriona Le May Doan dominate the speed skating world.It showed me what was possible. My message to young athletes is to find your passion, work hard, and never be afraid to dream big. But remember,
Moderator: Hold on, Emily – there’s somthing else engaging here. We see announcements from hospitals across BC, but two large health authorities haven’t shared details about New Year’s Day births. Do you think there’s a reason for this, and does it raise any concerns?
Emily Jackson: That’s a fair point. transparency is important, especially when it comes to public health. Maybe there are legitimate reasons for the lack of information, but it’s definitely something worth exploring.
Moderator: Absolutely. Emily,thank you for sharing your insights. your outlook reminds us that sport and life are intricately intertwined, and every new begining is an opportunity to celebrate the human spirit.
We want to hear from you, our readers! What resonated with you most about these New Year’s babies? Do you have any thoughts on Emily’s comments? Share your opinions in the comments below.
Let’s keep the conversation going!
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