Current Events is his event. This year at the TAPPS State Competition, Carter took first in this speech category, which he counts his greatest achievement - not simply because he came in first, but because, as he says, it is, "most indicative of where I've been and where I've come."

Carter first attended CDA from 4th to 6th grade. Having never experienced anything beyond Christian schools and church, he petitioned his parents to attend a public school so that he might broaden his educational and social horizons. His parents acquiesced, and he transferred to his local middle school.

He recalls his classmates, teachers, and extracurricular activities at his public middle school with fondness; but the dawn of high school brought larger class sizes and fewer opportunities for extracurricular involvement.

It was during this time that Carter gathered with some old CDA friends and realized that remaining at Coram Deo did not stifle their spiritual or academic growth; rather, it was the opposite. And though he was still adamant in his heart that he would not return there, Carter began to pray about where he should be. Greatly surprising his parents, he requested to re-enroll in classes at CDA because Carter discerned that it was where he belonged. 

Many told him that it would be difficult to transfer back to Coram Deo because the academic requirements were higher than that of public schools. "The presentation of a challenge made me rise to it." And in three years he rose to be his class' valedictorian. "I realized that this is my education and I am wasting it if I don't try my best."

After returning to CDA, he joined debate and fell in love. It was here that he found his unexpected passions and talents, including current events.

In the fall, Carter will be attending Wheaton College near Chicago to pursue a double major in political science and business economics, his end goal being a career possibly in law and then in politics. "I never would have been interested in political science if I hadn't returned to CDA." He chose Wheaton for its emphasis on independent critical thinking. "The school places a high premium on thinking for yourself, which is hugely appealing to me." Carter says he also appreciates its similarities to CDA in that it has small class sizes and a Christian foundation.

We look forward to seeing how the Lord employs him in the future.

His commencement speech can be viewed here.