CRESTWOOD, Ky. — South Oldham High School senior Carter Sturgeon has a simple philosophy, “You have to find what you’re passionate for.”
For the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar, that passion is business. He excels in the school’s pre-business curriculum, taking multiple Advanced Placement and dual-credit classes and earning a 4.2 GPA.
Arvin Education Center business teacher Willie Morgan says Sturgeon’s motivation is an inspiration, explaining that “his capacity and want and will to succeed in business, as a teacher it’s a shot in the arm.”
Carter is already making money with the unique hobby of flipping weight equipment. In the future, he wants to transition that turnaround skill set to real estate.
He told Spectrum News 1, “I enjoy flipping things. I like the entrepreneurial aspect right now. It’s a good way to make money and a good way to give back to the community.”
That desire to ‘give back’ is his other passion. He volunteers with multiple organizations, including “Share The Beach” to help baby sea turtles reach the ocean and the International Opportunities Club, where he made gift baskets for the needy and homeless children.
But he is particularly committed to seniors, spending nine months helping an elderly neighbor who had no family, saying, “I did errands, groceries, mowed her lawn and lawn care. I’m young, I’m durable and they may not be. Going to the grocery store can be really hard for someone who is 93 years old, but it’s not hard for me at all. 30 minutes out of my day is not a big deal, but it may take them hours.”
His neighbor passed away, but before that he helped move her entire home to a nursing facility and storage unit, pointing out that, “it was a long and hard task but worth it because it made her final days really good.”
Now he’s assisting another senior citizen from his church, helping an 80-year-man as he recovers from COVID-19. For Sturgeon, the desire to help others comes naturally, but he knows that’s not the case for everyone.
Sturgeon’s next stop is the University of Louisville to major in business. His teacher, Morgan, expects big things, saying, “I can guarantee you that 10 years hence he’ll be one of those faces to watch because he will definitely make an impact entrepreneurially, whichever path he chooses. Real estate, online e-commerce, traditional big box, maybe even franchise. He’s got the world in his hands, just needs to figure out which direction he wants to travel. He’s one of those kids that you say, Yep, he’s got it.’”
Carter Sturgeon is dedicated to success and making the world a better place while he’s at it. That makes him a deserving Spectrum News 1 High Scholar.