February is designated as Black History Month and the Greeley West Student Council is again celebrating the month-long event. West Word is partnering with STUCO to create a series spotlighting students from each grade level sharing West students’ stories.
As Greeley West seniors’ high school chapter comes to an end so to does our Black History Month series.
Ermiyas Tesfaselassie is a senior who has shined throughout the years in his determination. Someone Tesfaselassie looks up to is singer Brent Faiyaz. “An icon for me is Brent; this is because he is able to use his experiences and transform it to something others can relate to and feel motivated by,” Tesfaselassie stated.
Something Tesfaselassie has found himself admiring from his heritage is his culture. “My African heritage is something I cherish. Being from a country like Eritrea is great, indulging the culture from the food, music, language, and family,” Tesfaselassie stated.
Niyat Teame enjoys her culture and everything that has to come with it. “I always appreciate celebrating our differences in our own community and coming together as one. Supporting each other is important as well as showing others black history is more than what you seen on the outside,” Teame stated.
When advising her younger self, she would say, “Be proud of who you are because you only get one life so just embrace yourself and your culture,” Teame stated.
Efrat Semere is someone who takes in appreciation for his country and the history behind it. “ The celebration of the Eritrea and Ethiopia war breaking off is something that has always taught me new things about my country and what my people have gone through to be where they are now,” Semere stated.
Diversity is something that Semere looks for in a student body and that’s because, “having people of all races and cultures while being able to celebrate all of them equally is important,” Semere said.
Yorusalem Embaye is a senior who is also from Eritrea and takes pride in her culture. “My religion and culture are important, combining them together and applying them to my daily life is something that my family has always taught me. My parents have always been religious and they have taught me to respect my elders and behave well towards people,” Embaye stated.
Inclusion is important to Embaye, that’s why she respects the different diversity around her. “ Diversity is about including everyone and wanting everyone to feel welcomed no matter where they come from,” Embaye said.
