LAPLACE – With a tradition of valedictorians in the family, Cameron Cage of LaPlace knew he had high standards to live up to.

Determination and perseverance paid off when Cage joined the rank of his mother, uncle and aunt last month at East St. John’s graduation. Standing behind the podium, Cage delivered a valedictory speech that closed the door on his high school career and set the spotlight on a bright future in mechanical engineering.

In the process, he hoped to uplift his fellow classmates.

“I wanted to leave them with the idea that it doesn’t matter how smart you think you are, or how strong,” Cage said. “Anyone can do anything they set their mind to, as long as they put forth the effort.”

Exiting high school with college credit and a whopping $900,000 in scholarship offers, Cage is one to plan for the future and see it through.

Since joining East St. John’s robotics club sophomore year, Cage has held an interest in mechanical engineering and its ability to better society.

“When I saw how cool robots were and how satisfying it was to make them, I thought, maybe I can make robots on a much grander scale to help people,” Cage said. “I just have a drive to help people, even if they don’t ask for it.”

Assisting in surgery, exploring areas too dangerous for people and providing emergency response in natural disasters are only a few possible technological applications Cage has in mind. He plans to procure his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Louisiana State University before pursuing a doctorate, which he hopes will pave the way to working with robotics, drones and energy-efficiency studies.

“It’s not just robots I’m looking into,” Cage said. “I also want to build vehicles like rockets, cars, ships and maybe improve how we gather energy with better solar panels, solar cars and also more efficient space craft.”

In addition to a scholarship offers from universities, Cage received scholarships from the East St. John Alumni Association and the Krewe of Dage. He was also the recipient of a monetary award for African American engineers.

A four-year member of Beta Club, Cage was active in gamer’s club and in the Technology Student Association as lead programmer and reporter.

This year, Cage was named 12^th grade Student of the Year on the school and district levels. When he wasn’t busy maintaining a spotless academic record, Cage spent his free time volunteering as a tutor for ACT prep at East St. John and for algebra I students at John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School.

Cage’s mother, Raquel Bossier Cage, said her son is an exceptionally hard worker.

“His determination and his self-discipline makes us proud of him,” Raquel said. “I guess we’ve set the bar high for him.”

A close relationship with his family provided all the motivation Cage needed to be successful.

“They’ve always been adamant about pushing me forward to become my very best,” Cage said. “Even if sometimes I may falter, they are always there to provide a calm, supportive environment that keeps me motivated to not only please them, but to please myself.”

Raquel, father Landry Cage, aunt Charo Bossier Holden, uncles Gala Holden and Alfred Peter Bossier and grandmother Dolores Bossier will always be an integral part of his life.

In addition, Cage works to be the best role model he can be for his three younger siblings.

“As the oldest, I have to set an example for all of them,” Cage said. “Even though they don’t always express it, I feel like I have a real, deep effect on them. They’re always making headlines- being nominated student of the year, basketball scholarships and singing in choir.”