Seeds of SEEK25 already bearing fruit

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SALT LAKE CITY — Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School eighth-grader Kual Dengabot was recently recognized by South Sudan Elite for receiving straight As on his report card for the first quarter school year.

South Sudan Elite is a youth basketball AAU organization affiliated with the South Sudan Basketball Federation (SSBF) in Utah.

“Here at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School we are honored and exceedingly proud of Kual for his recognition by the South Sudanese Elite,” said Patrick Reeder, principal of the school.

Kual “embodies the values and mission of this school, and it is amazing to see that recognized outside of our community as well,” Reeder said, adding that it is important for OLOL students to balance academics and sports in their lives “so that we can continue to provide an opportunity to engage not only in curriculum, but co-curricular and extracurricular activities as well.”

“Oftentimes we see that extracurricular activities will strengthen a student’s interest in academics and, by extension, bolster their academic progress,” he said.

Being recognized by an organization like South Sudan Elite “is a privilege because they are a wonderful program that provides so many opportunities for South Sudanese children [in Utah],” Kual said, adding that he feels great knowing that he has been acknowledged “by such an amazing organization who really cares about the development of young children on and off the court.”

However, basketball isn’t his only focus. “I consider keep good grades important because the steps you take now build a bridge to a better future. ... Putting in the hard work now will lead to a life of enjoyment and stability,” he said, adding that OLOL School has helped him in many ways.

“During my time at the school, simple lessons learned in the classroom apply to real life,” Kual said. “This school has helped me realize how important morals and values are and how to be a better person.”

In addition, lessons in the classroom have taught him to be better organized, and “this school has also helped me have a better relationship with my dad through simple songs at Mass and reading certain books,” he said. “OLOL has a community and one big family who cares about the well-being of everyone no matter what the circumstances. This school has shaped my character up until now and will continue to do so in the future.”

Reeder said that “Kual is the embodiment of a Lourdes Academy student. He is intellectually curious, kind, hardworking, and treats everyone around him with respect.”

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is one of the 16 schools in the Utah Catholic Schools system. It is K-8, and its Lourdes Academy offers students the opportunity to take classes at Judge Memorial Catholic High School.