We were thrilled to have Old Aylesburian Amala Ejikeme return as the guest of honour for this year's Junior Prize Giving event. Amala, a respected professional and partner in the prestigious law firm Kirkland & Ellis, delivered an exceptional speech that deeply resonated with our junior prize winners.

In his inspiring address, Amala shared three key principles drawn from his experiences post-AGS. The first principle was, “Don’t waste time; or, at the very least, continue to work hard.” Reflecting on the passage of time since he left AGS nearly 20 years ago, Amala emphasized the importance of using time wisely, working diligently, and avoiding distractions like excessive social media and gaming. He encouraged students to work hard and make choices today that their future selves would not regret.

His second principle was, “The Best is Yet to Come (If you do it right).” Amala challenged the notion that school days are the best days of one’s life! He conveyed an optimistic message that the future holds countless opportunities for growth, success, and exploration. He urged students to view their school achievements as stepping stones to even greater accomplishments.

Finally, Amala’s third principle was, “Being in the minority or the odd one out is often just the price you have to pay to achieve excellence in life.” He highlighted the necessity of making different choices to stand out and achieve extraordinary success, reassuring students that the sacrifices and additional efforts they make today will set them apart in the future.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the junior prize winners celebrated. Their hard work and achievements have been truly remarkable, and this special evening was a fitting recognition of their efforts. Thank you to Amala for his inspiring words and for returning to AGS to motivate the next generation of students.