“Though unplanned, stumbling into public speaking is one of the best things to happen to me,” Elim Essikpe’29 shared.

While in high school, Elim Essikpe’ 29 arrived late to class one day just as his teacher was speaking about an upcoming public speaking competition and encouraging the class to apply. As he walked in, his classmates mentioned his name as a good candidate for the competition. Shy at the time, he couldn’t understand why they had nominated him.

Right there, his teacher gave him a topic and asked him to deliver a 30-second speech. Convinced by the performance, the teacher encouraged Essikpe to sign up for the competition, assuring him that training would follow. Weeks later, he represented Sonrise Christian High School at The Orators, organized by Media General, and placed first. He represented his school the following year and emerged as a finalist.

His involvement in the Drama and Debaters’ Club further sharpened this skill. Through impromptu speeches delivered to large audiences, poetry recitals, and stage performances, he learned to organize his thoughts quickly and communicate clearly.

Around the same time, Essikpe also started learning sign language in his first year of high school. What began as a “confusing and boring” requirement soon became another way for him to connect with others. Just as public speaking helped him express himself to large audiences, sign language opened his eyes to the importance of inclusion and accessibility. He eventually became fluent enough to sign at school events, including his graduation ceremony.

Now reading Computer Engineering at Ashesi, he is eager to learn from his peers and build meaningful relationships. Essikpe looks forward with anticipation to what lies ahead in his Ashesi journey.

“I identify with Ashesi’s honor code because of my personal values, and it’s one of my reasons for being here,” he shared.