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F.X Vogt College, the high school I graduated from, is turning 75 years old, and I decided to join the celebration in style!

F.X Vogt College, the high school I graduated from, is turning 75 years old, and I decided to join the celebration in style!

I joined Vogt in September 2012 and graduated with honors in July 2015. Today, it’s perhaps my most inspiring personal story, teaching me about perseverance, sacrifice, and trusting in God’s plan. It’s the story of a very young child, dreaming of joining Cameroon’s top high school, pursuing excellence at all costs. To better understand the context, let’s go back to 2007.

In September 2007, I was just starting my primary school’s final class at Collège les Sapins in Yaoundé. My parents called my main teacher to explain their wish for me to join Vogt the following year, and they agreed on a rehearsal class to support this ambition. A few weeks later, my good friend Nancy, who remains a friend to this day, joined me. We held classes at home, and our dog Franchise loved to greet everyone with her barks. The group grew to include Arnold, Tatiana, Emmanuel, and others, so we moved to a space near the school for convenience. The year was going well, and I was scoring high marks. I still keep my transcript as proof if anyone ever needs it! When the secondary school entrance exam approached, I was feeling more than ready. But I didn’t do well on the exam and failed. Thankfully, there were two sessions, so I tried the second one, but due to an administrative issue, I couldn’t even qualify. What hurt most was seeing nearly all my friends admitted and moving forward without me.

Three years later, in 2011, I told my parents again about my goal of joining Vogt. I’m grateful to have parents who give 200% to anything related to my education. I attended summer classes to prepare for the exam, but I failed again. I was so ashamed, and I decided to give up. Maybe it just wasn’t for me. Then, thanks to my good grades in the science major, I was selected to represent Collège les Sapins, along with two classmates, at the Scientific Olympiads…where? At Vogt, of course! Being there and seeing some of my primary school friends revived my dream of joining them. The blue and brown uniform was so attractive! I thought, “After all, I’ve failed three times; one more attempt won’t kill me.”

I didn’t dare tell my parents, so I secretly saved up for the exam fee and decided to try one last time. The fee was about 15,500 FCFA, nearly $30 back then, a huge amount for a child in Cameroon. I put my parents in front of the fact, and they signed (“me again with my Vogt story 😊”). I prepared at home, and this time, it worked. My entire family—my brothers, sisters, and especially my parents—were so proud. After five years and four attempts, I was finally joining Vogt.
For many of my friends, joining Vogt seemed like a given, but for me, it was a hard-earned dream come true. It taught me to be grateful for what I have and to keep working for what I desire. “The work can’t stop” has become a motto for me, a reminder of where I come from and the value of hard work in all aspects of life.

On another note, during my first year at Collège les Sapins, I had the chance to meet Dr. Victor Manyim and his wife, Dr. Florence Manyim, when I joined the newly established Young Leaders Club. This moment marked the true beginning of my journey as a young leader, setting me on a path of growth and purpose that continues to shape who I am today…but that’s a story for another time.

Dimitri FONE

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