Is it possible to cast a string to an object? I know KiXtart isn't a static type language, but I was wondering if this is possible somehow?

I'm trying to convert this VB7 function for my KF.NET application. Here is the code

 Code:
Function AddComPlusApplication(ByVal applicationName As String, _
    ByVal serverName As String) As Boolean
    Dim catalog As New COMAdmin.COMAdminCatalog
    catalog.Connect(serverName)
    ' get the Applications collection
    Dim apps As COMAdmin.COMAdminCatalogCollection = CType _
        (catalog.GetCollection("Applications"), _
        COMAdmin.COMAdminCatalogCollection)
    apps.Populate()
    If apps.AddEnabled Then
        'Check to ensure duplicate is not created
        Dim i As Integer
        For i = 0 To apps.Count - 1
            If applicationName = CType(apps.Item(i), _
                COMAdmin.COMAdminCatalogObject).Name.ToString() Then
                Return False
            End If
        Next i
        Dim application As COMAdmin.COMAdminCatalogObject = CType(apps.Add(), _
            COMAdmin.COMAdminCatalogObject)
        application.Value("Name") = CType(applicationName, Object)
        apps.SaveChanges()
        Return True
    End If
    Return False
End Function


Here's my KiXtart Function I have so far:

 Code:
Function AddComPlusApplication($applicationName, optional $serverName)
	Dim $objCat, $apps
	Dim $i, $app, $iFlag
	Dim $application

	$objCat = CreateObject("COMAdmin.COMAdminCatalog.1")
	If $serverName $ = $objCat.Connect($serverName) EndIf
	
	$apps = $objCatalog.GetCollection("Applications")
	$apps.Populate()	
	
	If $apps.AddEnabled = -1		
		For $i = 0 to $apps.Count() - 1
			$app = $apps.Item($i)
			If $applicationName = CStr($app.Name)
				$iFlag = $TRUE
				$i = $apps.Count() - 1
			EndIf
		Next
	EndIf
	
	If $iFlag <> $TRUE
		$application = $apps.Add()
		$application.Value("Name") = $applicationName ;cast to Object from String - how?
		$ = $apps.SaveChanges()
	EndIf		
EndFunction


Is it possible to convert this to KiX?

 Code:
application.Value("Name") = CType(applicationName, Object)