When Laura Sharpe, 17, was younger she didn’t really care about her grades, studying or her assignments.
“It wasn’t until I was in high school that I began to feel this competitive desire to pursue academic goals,” said the 2026 Valedictorian at New Lothrop Schools, and daughter of Chad and Regina Sharpe.
Before that desire actually became rooted in her heart, she experienced burnout, stress and anxiety.
She once encountered receiving a bad grade on a “useless assignment,” which God took and transformed her mind into seeing how all assignments ultimately mattered.
“I began realizing grades were a big part of the selection process,” she said. “I didn’t really care about titles such as valedictorian, but suddenly I became determined to pursue the goal of working harder, studying more, and putting more effort into my assignments.”
At her lowest point she remembers sitting in the bathroom and talking to God. “Why am I even trying? This all feels pointless.” She continued praying and seeking counsel from God.
“After I prayed, I remember coming out and acting like things were normal,” she said. “From then on it felt like things were falling into place for me like a puzzle. Each piece of stress went away, and was replaced by a piece that was happening in ways that were beyond me.”
For example, her former nonchalant attitude toward studying dramatically changed.
“I studied harder,” she said. “If I had free periods at school, I would use them to study. I put more effort into studying, whereas before I did nothing like that.”
Her effort ascended into earning a 4.1143 grade point average. “I somehow landed an opportunity to retake the SAT, and that was when I was locked in about pursuing this goal, and I felt God was on my side, because usually when I set goals in cross country or track, I never achieved them.” Through extra prayer and extra study – she raised her SAT score 120 points. With God’s help and her interior conversations with Him, she began achieving goals.
In addition to intentionally working on her study habits, she participated in Student Council, Quiz Bowl, After School Ag, and the National Honor Society, and FFA (Future Farmers of America).
Her active Catholic faith life at Good Shepherd Catholic Church as an altar server, lector, and youth group member served as an anchor during her senior year. “My senior year was the hardest,” she said. “I didn’t think it would be, but it was. It was truly my faith and trust in God that glued everything together – and God made it possible for me to make it through.”
She found a new peace and a holy reprieve when attending Mass. “There was a turning point where I felt such peace at Mass about everything,” she explained. “Whether or not I had extracurricular activities, sports or assignments – it didn’t matter as much because I genuinely began relying on God more than relying on myself, and that was the difference.”
She graciously offers advice to any young people or students experiencing burnout or stress about their grades.
“You need to pray,” she said. “That’s what helped me. I knew I couldn’t make it by myself. You can’t do it independently, you must ask the Holy Trinity – God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to assist you. He will.”
Laura will study statistical and actuarial sciences at Mott Community College, and then transfer to Central Michigan University. Good Shepherd congratulates her on her beautiful academic achievements, but more importantly on her spiritual growth and deepening of her love for God.
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