Head Girls ’23. In our series on schools’ Head Girls ’23, Schools That Rock chat with Christabel Akpoduado. Christabel, Head Girl for 2023 of Curro Aurora, tells us more about herself and her leadership.
“Hi! My name is Christabel. My favourite colours are royal blue and purple. An Arctic Fox is currently my favourite type of animal. They’re absolutely adorable!
I often indulge myself in the world of Rom-Coms and thriller novels. As a result, have perhaps unreasonably high standards for men. I absolutely adore K-Dramas and have watched countless, enjoying every single one I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. My passion is acting. Thurthermore I enjoy singing as well as writing short stories. I do also have an interest in the world of law. I aim to study more about it post-High School. The idea of being able to defend myself as well as others who may not be in the position to do so themselves. Truly knowing my rights sounds extremely appealing to me.
I’m very strong in faith and value my relationship with God above all else. Without Him, His grace and wisdom, many of the things I have accomplished today wouldn’t have been possible. Through His guidance and the talents He’s given me, I can boldly say that I am the person that I am today. I also make sure to show off my love for Him every opportunity I have.
Responsibility
As the Head Girl ’23, I think the last thing I need to do is control everything at every given moment. I rather believe its more important to guide and “lead” those I’m given responsibility over. I will guide them into becoming the best versions of themselves. It is also my task to enable them to manage assigned tasks without requiring someone to micro-manage them. However, I don’t believe myself to be laissez-faire. I do think it’s important to take charge when necessary and perhaps to start the working process up. More than control, I value teamwork, empathy and a true, deep understanding of every person I’m given the opportunity to work with. So, perhaps the best style of leadership that would suit me is transformational leadership.
Although I may not always know exactly what to do at every given moment, I do pride myself on my ability to think fast and rally people together to think of possible solutions. When a team I’ve led reaches success, I’m filled with pride, not just for myself, but for every member who partook and put in the effort to make the goal achievable.
I have many personal goals for next year. I’m working hard to ensure that I get to realise them and not just have them said and unfulfilled.
I’m currently learning Korean, a beautiful and rich language filled with culture. So my goal in that regard is to be fluent enough to hold a full conversation by this time next year. As I mentioned, I’m truly passionate about acting. I also aim to ensure that my skills continue to substantially increase throughout next year.
Directing a play
I am also directing a play I wrote. So, I plan to improve my directing and writing skills to ensure that my cast and crew enjoy an experience of a lifetime when we participate in FEDA. In terms of sports, I also aim to improve my netball skills and become a stronger player. Academically, I am aiming for distinctions in every subject I take. Along with that, at minimum, a 5% improvement on my previous highest mark in each subject. Perhaps to some this all might sound impossible but as our Former President Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible, until it’s done.” With God on my side, I plan to be a living testimony of that statement.
My goals for my school during my term of service, is to strive to be a good example for all those who look up to me. Also to be a trustworthy leader my fellow students know that they can rely on to make sure their voice is heard in the school. I’ve already begun to brainstorm ideas on what can improve the Curro Aurora experience for the students. I’ve heard brilliant ideas from other students on how they believe our already lovely school could be taken to the next level. I believe it to be my responsibility to ensure that every idea and hope the students have is heard. Also that as many as realistically possible are actualised for them.
See Curro Aurora as a home
After my term is completed, I want my fellow students to be able to look at the school and truly in their heart of hearts see it as a home. Here they can freely express themselves and actually look forward to coming to school every day. They need to know that what awaits them is a loving, caring environment. As Head Girl 2023, I’ve made it my duty to ensure I am the voice for those unheard. I also want to be a leader, a sister and a friend to every pupil. Furthermore I want to make the Curro Aurora experience the best for every learner. One day, when they are successful and look back on their High School days, the smiles and happy memories they made here fill them with gratitude and joy.
The biggest challenge I faced as a learner of Curro Aurora, was reconciling myself to the fact that I am enough. It took me a while to understand that I do not need to please everyone. I can unapologetically be myself, even if it means garnering feelings of dislike from some people. I understand now that even if you’re the sweetest apple, there will always be someone who dislike apples.
In High School, one of the biggest challenges I believe a student faces, is discovering who they are and sticking to that. Especially when they’re surrounded by so many people with strong personalities. Also when facing people who may also try to influence you, even unconsciously, to become like them.
True to yourself
Being true to yourself can be hard. Also when you unnecessarily take on the responsibility of also being true to the expectations and image that others have set for you. Like others, I sadly also fell prey to this trap. I was so scared to lose friends if I decided truly to be myself and I was terrified of being left alone. However, I now understand that true friends are those who know the real you and love you regardless. I understand that I am worthy of love. Along with, I am worthy of care and I am an absolute gem. I believe this regardless of whether or not other people agree or not. God has declared me fearfully and wonderfully made. So I refuse to yield to the belief that I am anything less than that.
Although I ended up losing friends along the way, I understood that there are some people who aren’t destined to spend your life with you and that’s okay. Paths drift apart and that is no fault of any of the parties involved. Besides, I couldn’t be more grateful to have lost some people because I now know and understand who my true friends. I am excited to go on this new journey of life together with them, as myself and not a contrived image of who people think I should be.
What stands out most for me at Curro Aurora is definitely the spirit and camaraderie we share as a school. Whenever we have our Blue Pride War-cry days, the spirit and atmosphere is absolutely electric. We support each other in every sporting or cultural event that takes place. That results in every participant giving their best for themselves and the school.
Inspiration
I look up to my mother for inspiration or mentorship. She is the strongest person I know. She always faces her battles with a courageous attitude and joy-filled smile. My mother is also prayerful, kind and always tells me the truth, no sugar-coating, even if I don’t want to hear it sometimes. She treats everyone she meets with love and is extremely patient with my brother and me.
My mother is wise and somehow always knows what to do and how to it. She also inspires me to be resourceful and grateful for everything I have. She also inspires me to value the life of every person I come into contact with. My mother is also very Spirit-filled and continually encourages my brother and I to grow our relationship with Christ. She also inspires me every day with her earnest love for God and I could never ask for a greater mother or mentor.
I enjoy helping to develop others’ potential and talents. So if I had to be a kichen article, I would be a knife sharpener, making sure that every person I meet gets the encouragement they need to cut through life’s challenges with ease.
My friends
Oftentimes my friends describe me as bright, confident and a fun person to be around. I always try to lighten the mood and make every outing and conversation an enjoyable one to partake in.
My biggest source of motivation is ensuring that, in all I do, I give God glory and let the talents He’s given me shine. This motivates me to do my best in all I’m assigned. I also aim at becomming better than the ‘me’ of yesterday. I always want to inspire those around me. So, a question I often ask myself is “How can my performance in this positively impact someone else?” “I also ask myself if what I’m doing inspiring others unto good or evil?” With these questions in mind, I’m motivated to devote myself to excellence and being the best me I can be. I hope that can motivate others to be the best them they can be.
Why become an Curro Aurora learner
Curro Aurora is a school bursting with life and vitality. There is a strong spirit of kindness in each and every single pupil. Everyone maintains an attitude of respect when relating to one other. This school provides every student with a platform to speak their mind. Curro Aurora explores talents they may have never known they had. We have various activities for every kind of student. If there still may not be one they’re interested in, every student has the freedom to ask and petition for the creation of a new extra-curricular. Our incredible staff will do everything in their power to try and see it through.
In my eight years of attending this school, I have never once felt like I did not have the opportunity to be involved with the spirit of the school. Our spirit is unparalleled and there is such a strong sense of Blue Pride residing in the heart of every learner. The name Curro Aurora can only be associated with excellence because of every learner and staff member who puts their best into making this school what it is.
Favourite teacher
I adore every single one of my teachers at Curro Aurora. Each of them has had incredibly positive influences on me and encouraged me in various ways. However, if I were to name one teacher who has had the biggest impact on not only my school life but also my personality itself, I would name Mrs Snyders. She is my drama teacher. She is one of the strongest, kindest and most patient women I know.
Every day I spend with her. I learn more about how to be tolerant, empathetic and kind to every person I meet. Even when I nag and complain about every little problem I experience, she always gives the best, honest advice with a kind, amused smile on her face. She is the very epitome of Christ’s love and she has played an integral role in moulding me into the actor and person I am today. I am entirely convinced that her heart is made of the purest gold. It is earning its beautiful sheen from the various difficult challenges she has fought through and won. In every sense of the word, she is my School Mom. She is one of my biggest inspirations and her impact on me is one I could never forget.
My future goals
I aim to be an accomplished and well-known actress in addition to being well-educated in law. I aim to be financially independent and thus fully able to give back to my community. Once this has been accomplished, I would like to start up foster homes in the future. This will be for underprivileged kids to offer them the care and support they may have lacked in the early stages of their lives. I am also passionate about the rehabilitation of people who have been sexually assaulted. With my finances and resources, my goal is to rehabilitate and ensure they get all the help they could possibly require.
I am so excited for the year that lies ahead of me, and I cannot wait to share it with my fellow students and Councillor Body.
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