Cordes encourages new CGA students to learn to love themselves

Maggie Cordes ’25 encouraged the 98 new Culver Girls Academy students at the annual Crest Ceremony to learn to love themselves and embrace what Culver has to offer.  

“Learning to love yourself is the key to confidence, success and most importantly, happiness,” she said during the ceremony Sunday. 

Cordes told the students about how she was terrified of the four years ahead when she was registering during her first day on campus, but soon she began to love Culver despite its difficulties. 

“I began to love Culver even though nothing about my freshman year was easy. I struggled with friendships, homework, my roommates and listening to my dorm mom,” she said.

She reminded the girls that they’re not alone in facing the challenges in front of them and that they have much growth ahead.

Cordes shared three pieces of advice to the new girls: To be proud of who they are, to take advantage of all CGA has to offer and to surround themselves with people who will make them better.

“Being proud of who you are goes beyond simply feeling good about yourself in moments of success—it’s about embracing your entire story, including the imperfections and setbacks that have shaped you,” she said. 

At the beginning of her time at Culver, Cordes spent a lot of time being insecure, and often those insecurities took control of her and took her out of the moment. However, once she realized that those insecurities didn’t really matter, she began to learn to love who she was. 

“We often spend all our time worrying about what others think of us when, in reality, no one cares as much as you think they do,” she said. 

Cordes loves to sing, but without her mother secretly emailing Pastor Brenda Hafer, the then-Protestant campus minister, telling her that Cordes was a talented singer, she never would have gotten the opportunity. Cordes encourages others to put themselves out there and be proud of what unique talents they have to honor. 

“It’s scary to put yourself out there, but what’s even scarier is the thought of going four years hiding your passions and strengths because of your fear and insecurities,” she said.  

CGA has a lot of opportunities for students to grow and try new things, but Cordes says that these opportunities are only valuable if we actively engage with them. 

“By fully immersing yourself in what CGA has to offer – whether that’s physically, intellectually, morally or spiritually – you’re positioning yourself to learn, grow and thrive,” she said. “The hardest part is showing up. Once you show up, you see a familiar face, share a laugh and now you’re comfortable in a new environment trying something new.” 

Cordes recounts joining the swim and dive team in her junior year. Even though she failed many times, she kept coming back because she enjoyed it so much. Soon, it quickly became one of her passions. If she had never tried diving, she realizes that she would have never met some of her best friends today. 

“At CGA, the possibilities for personal and academic growth are vast, and it’s crucial to fully embrace as many opportunities as you can,” she said. 

“It’s easy to underestimate just how much the company we keep influences who we are and who we become.” 

It took Cordes a long time to find friends who encouraged her and lifted her up, but throughout her experiences, she learned much about herself and what kinds of friends she should surround herself with. She suggested everyone think about who lifts them up and who brings them down. 

“It is so vital to evaluate the relationships in our lives and choose to surround ourselves with those who truly inspire us,” she said. “The more intentional we are about who we allow into our lives, the more likely we are to find those who will help us reach our full potential.” 

CGA Dean Caren Standfast ended the ceremony emphasizing the strength of friendship and sisterhood, which stood out to her as she began working at Culver. Many of the leadership labs that were created had the intention of harnessing this valuable trait and bring it out in the new students.  

“None of our successes would be possible without our community,” Standfast said.

She told the students how CGA has created experiences for new students to learn, practice and receive feedback on what it means to be part of a community.

 “While tradition and innovation shape our journey, the bonds we form with one another give our community meaning and strength,” she said.