Math, education in the numbers for CCH valedictorian
David Awosoga is this year’s Catholic Central High School valedictorian. Awosoga said it was “super cool” to be selected.
“It’s nice seeing the work you put in come to fruition,” he said. “It’s a really great honour.”
He said he feels hard work, preparation and consistency were key.
“Preparing myself for exams and stuff really helped me,” he said.
His efforts in track and field and Bible Quizzing, a program he takes part in outside of school, were also a big part of his success in high school.
As a student, Awosoga has veered toward STEM-related fields.
“I’m a numbers guy,” he said. “Math and physics are what I like to do.”
But he has paired his love of numbers with his love of sports. He is heading to the University of Lethbridge in the fall where he will pursue a combined degree in math and education.
The end goal is to either move into statistics and become a statistician, or complete an education degree and become a teacher.
“I really love numbers and sports,” he said. “I wanted to pick a career where I could do both.”
He was inspired by the 2011 film “Moneyball,” based on a book by Michael Lewis about how the 2002 Oakland Athletics baseball team used analysis and sabermetrics to field a competitive squad against teams with much larger budgets.
“That’s kind of a job I’d like to do as a statistical analyst,” he said. “But also, I like teaching and I find it pretty fun. That’s my plan B.”
Awosoga said his valedictorian speech will highlight some of the experiences that had the greatest impact on him as a student, as well as offering some tips he hopes will help his fellow students as they transition to the next phase of their lives.
“Some parts definitely weren’t as fun as they could have been, because I was spending time at home instead of partying and hanging out with friends,” he said.
“But I comfort myself knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel. There will be fruit for the work you put in. And now it’s happening, so it’s pretty exciting.”
Awosoga said his family heard about the honour through a third party, and that they are very excited for him.
“They were really excited and freaking out,” he said. “They’re inviting all their friends and family over for grad. There’s going to be lots of people there.”
The CCH graduating class will include 220 students this year. Grad events begin today for rehearsals and grad mass, followed by grad ceremonies Saturday morning at Lethbridge College Gym and the grad banquet at Enmax Centre Saturday afternoon.
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