For Gabriel Olagbegi, high school has been about more than academic success. It has been a journey of growth, self-discovery, and learning how to embrace his authentic self.

Gabriel made an unforgettable impact during his time at Carver STEAM Academy. 

He has achieved remarkable academic milestones, including earning Valedictorian honors, receiving more than $11 million in scholarship offers, and being accepted into more than 145 colleges and universities. However, he says his proudest accomplishment is something much deeper.

“I am most proud of my ability to stand out,” Gabriel shared. “I used to want to be like everybody else, but I learned that being your truest self is what really draws people to you.”

That mindset has shaped not only his academic success, but also his leadership on campus through mentoring classmates, helping peers find direction, and running the school store.

If he could offer advice to his freshman-year self, Gabriel says he would encourage himself to fully commit to his passions and ideas without hesitation.

“Go all in like yesterday,” he said. “I started a lot of things, but pivoted too much. It took until later on in life for me to understand the value of precision, especially in where you invest energy.”

After graduation, Gabriel plans to attend Georgia Tech on a full scholarship, where he will study Artificial Intelligence and Industrial Engineering. His long-term goal is to one day build factories in Africa and create opportunities through innovation and technology.

When reflecting on his journey, Gabriel says he’ll always remember the lessons he has learned and how those experiences shaped his perspective. Among his favorite memories? A field trip to watch the Michael Jackson movie alongside his classmates, a moment he says became a “core memory” shared with friends during the final days of the school year.

Congratulations, Gabriel! From embracing your authentic self to creating memories worthy of the King of Pop himself, your leadership, vision, and determination are already leaving a lasting legacy!