The must-tell, must-share story of a valedictorian

I got to know Sandra about two years ago when I taught a class that she was a member of. I clearly remember what I said after I had asked her to introduce herself, as is my practice when I meet students for the first time. “That’s my Osofo Maame’s (Pastor’s wife’s) name, and you nearly look like her. More so, you look to me as calm and gentle as she is”. Sandra only smiled, as usual of her. It was much later that I would get to learn that both are past students of a popular secondary school in Ghana.

Frankly, I admired Sandra a lot and I made her aware, at least, sometimes. I must say it is not difficult for me to do that at all (hehehe). After a class presentation one day, the impression I had about her as well as my confidence in her soared higher. I recall giving her some advice that I hope she has taken and will pursue. I have decided not to mention exactly what I said because I don’t remember telling her in public. But knowing who Sandra is, I know she is more than capable of pursuing that which I told her.

Sandra at the recently held graduation ceremony of my university was the Valedictorian, a title used to signify academic success. The valedictorian of a graduation ceremony is the one who delivers a farewell speech on behalf of a graduating class. Such a person is the graduand with the highest ranking or highest final Cumulative Grade Point Average. This feat is not something to take for granted at all. And Sandra being a student in my Department, I was beside myself with joy. 

More so, knowing how much she deserved it, I couldn’t have felt any less. When it was mentioned in a meeting in which I was present about the likelihood for her to be the valedictorian for the graduation ceremony, I whispered into the ears of a colleague seated next to me that “I’m not surprised”.  All I knew about Sandra at the time was the fact that she was a disciplined and bright student. But just like every great person, Sandra has her story too. Her story is one that will move you to hold on to that dream of yours.

Having completed one of the best secondary schools in the country about a decade ago, Sandra found herself on the campus of the University of Ghana to further her education. But whatever dream she had (or should I say her family had for her?) would not be realised. She had accepted an offer to do a programme that she never saw herself pursuing. This venture proved to be a total disaster right from the start. Her disinterest in the programme, coupled with other factors, made a ‘failure’ out of intelligent and athletic Sandra.

Those moments were trying times in Sandra’s life. Every exam she took was an outright flop. Her family was kept in the dark about her academic struggles as she didn’t want to disappoint them, neither did she seek any proper professional counselling due to naivety. She rather turned to confiding in friends whose advice could not help much. Sandra ended her final year with tons of resit papers to clear. At this point, she knew the right thing to do was to inform her family about the happenings with her academics. She could not graduate with her mates.

It was an obvious heavy blow to her family because they knew her to be an intelligent daughter. She attempted to re-sit the failed papers but that would prove even more frustrating as it didn’t turn out any better.  In a bid to look for other avenues to excel, she chased after her passion and personal goals. Delightfully, her mother was very supportive. And rather sadly, her father had passed away at the time.

She enrolled in a programme at the Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design to get a vocation in fashion design. That same year she got an opportunity to express her love for the arts by auditioning for and securing a role as a stage performer with Uncle Ebo Whytes’ Roverman productions.

She also decided to give herself another chance at earning an academic degree. With the support of her family, she applied to study for a degree in Public Relations Management at the University of Professional Studies, Accra. Not allowing her failures to put her down, she regained her academic confidence and niche. Working hard to combine her private fashion design business with studies, Sandra managed to pull through excellently.

Her academic feat did not come by simply folding her arms nor by brooding over her doubts and fears. She had a positive attitude and worked real hard at it. If there is anyone who has deservedly earned a university degree, it is Sandra. She was remarkably disciplined and it showed in everything she did, including turning in assignments on time and giving full attention to lectures.