What’s your name?
Abena Aidoo.
What is 1 fun fact about yourself? (2-3 sentences)
I have danced pretty much my whole life and I find music and moving my body to the rhythm of anything brings me calm and peace of mind. I started dancing bc of my mom I grew up always seeing her dance and it inspired to dance and express myself through that hobby my own way.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York but my parents are both from Ghana, Africa.
What are your future plans after high school?
I plan to attend a four-year university in the Pharmacy Program in order to get my PharmD; and, also dive into the world of pharmaceutical business and finance.
What is your passion in life?
My passion in life is to never let other peoples opinions influence how I succeed or follow the path God has given me.
What’s something people should worry about but really shouldn’t?
Other people’s opinions. What does it matter if someone doesn’t like you or doesn’t like how you do something? Nothing they say or think can change how you live your life. It’s YOUR LIFE, your mind, your beliefs, your emotions. Nothing they think will change your character or personality.
How do you judge a person?
I judge a person by how they communicate. I’m someone who struggled with communicating my feelings and opinions in a way people could understand me. When I talk to a person, I want them to listen to hear and understand not listen to react. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, no matter what anyone else could tell you about them. Let what you hear and think affect your relationships, not other people.
What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
Overcoming my anxiety and fear of failing.
What would you do if you only had 24 hours left to live?
Spend the day with my best friend Kyle or have one more dinner with my sisters, with us just laughing and being idiots.
Who are your favorite teachers and why?
Ms. Laskowski and Mr. Cassady. They both teach very different things, but as my science teacher, Ms. L made it so much easier to express my love for science and also just be the person in my life that I could talk to about anything. She made it so fun to learn from her and her experiences. Every day I go to her classroom and answer her ATB and spend those first 5 minutes of the day just talking to her and it makes my day that much better. She is a role model in my life that I aspire to be, she makes it so possible for the impossible to be thought of. Her personality and vibe just make me want to be like her when I’m older and be the light for someone else first thing in the morning.
Mr. Cassady is my first high school music teacher, marching band director, and role model. He truly shows me every day that no matter how much you struggle, you will always find your way. In a lot of the music I’ve played in my four years in high school, he always pushed me to play as well as he knew I was capable of every single time. No matter if I played it wrong multiple times he made sure I took a deep breath and got it down bc he knew I was overthinking for no reason. He makes my ending of the day that much better too, he makes me laugh and just introduces me to a new way of thinking every day making all the bad in my head go away with the wave of his baton and the smile on his face.
