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CSF Scholar Laura Agblekpe '24 Graduates as Valedictorian of Cathedral High School

June 6th, 2024


Photo credit: Cathedral High School

In May, CSF Senior Scholar Laura Agblekpe graduated as the valedictorian of Cathedral High School's Class of 2024. At the ceremony, Laura took to the stage and shared her experiences as a student at Cathedral High School.

Laura received the Vigor in Arduis Award, the highest honor given by the Cathedral faculty and administration to a senior. This award, taken from the Latin meaning "strength in adversity," recognizes a scholar who has worked exceptionally hard in their studies, generously contributed time and energy to the school community, and supported all aspects of school life. Laura will matriculate at the Wentworth Institute of Technology to major in architecture.

At CSF, we couldn't be prouder of Laura and all our incredible senior scholars. We have no doubt that each of you is destined for a future full of incredible achievements.


Laura Agblekpe's Full Speech:

Good afternoon everyone! Today I wanted to talk about finding my purpose and my journey. One word that you will hear a lot in my speech today is GOD, because without Him I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am today. Throughout my years here at Cathedral, I realized that purpose is not just a route, it’s a role. I had a role of being a shy 7th grader in one season. In another season, I had a role of being an outspoken and confident individual when I became a student ambassador. In another season, I had a role of being an intern at an amazing office: Fidelity. In another season, I had a role of taking the step to reach for different opportunities introduced to me through networking. Staying loyal, faithful and true to all these roles as well as trusting the process with each one, aligned me to get on a purposeful route. The route of becoming a licensed architect, the route of going to a college that will give me every tool possible to succeed, my beautiful family, friends, and people who I have built relationships with through networking support me. 
 
I have always wanted to become an architect since I was in 4th grade and I never thought I would have experience in the field until college but being prayerful, having an open mind and getting out of my comfort zone allowed me to meet the right person who knew a person, who knew another person, which got me closer to my dream.
 
Now, going back to one word that I said in the beginning of my speech, GOD. It is impossible for me to stand here today and say that I made it this far without GOD. Through each season of my route, GOD taught me many valuable things. He taught me something crucial that is important to know and I think you all should know too. First, GOD’s  response to your desires can come in Three ways: If GOD says no, it’s for your protection. If GOD says yes, it’s for your promotion. If GOD says wait, it’s for your spiritual development. Trust each answer. Second: There are Good things and there are GOD things. I never understood that concept until my senior year because as young people, we see things that look good from outside and we are quick to jump to it, then we walk outside of our destiny to grab something that wasn’t for us in the first place. Not only do we waste time, but when we fail, we blame GOD. I'm here today to let you know that a GOD thing will NEVER fail no matter any hardship; all that is required to get there is obedience and a true relationship with GOD. This leads to the third thing that GOD taught me: Endure the challenging moments, fight with prayer, and never run away from it. Just because a situation is hard doesn’t mean that GOD isn’t with you, it means that there is a bigger blessing and a bigger reward coming from it. Always remember that Adversity is tied to Promotion. The fourth thing that GOD taught me is that actions are evidence of seeds from the heart that have matured so I’ve learned that in each role I was in I had to plant seeds. The seed of prayer, the seed of being a hard worker, the seed of endurance, the seed of joy, the seed of serving others and so much more. I always thought that purpose was a destination…but it is not. It’s a role that you are faithful in so that in each season of your life you become compassionate to what GOD has called you to do. 
 
As much as I matter in my route to purpose so do the people that have helped me every step of the way also matter so I would like to take the moment to thank GOD, my prayerful and powerful parents, my beautiful sisters, amazing my friends, my hardworking mentors, Mr Al Spagnolo, Mr Carmody, Mr Danso, Ms Reed, Beasley, Mr Ojimba and everyone who added to who I am today. If I keep going with the list we’ll never leave here today. 
 
To my fellow graduates, as we are leaving this chapter and starting a new one, I would like to encourage you with Isaiah 60:1 to “Arise and Shine” . Always remind yourself that there is a unique gift in you that the world is waiting for as an answer. Let's go out there, improve ourselves and also serve others. Society is waiting for you and I to make a difference and impact others positively. Always remember that you are the solution to someone’s problem so let's all go out there and continue to shine!!! 
 
I'm so happy to be standing here today to tell you that I am a child of the most High GOD and what He does for me is unmatched. I succeeded and I am more than confident now about all the four Gs: GOD GOALS, GROWING, and GLOWING and everyone is here with me.