Amal Ahmed, a senior at Kent-Meridian High School, did not speak English when she started her freshman year of high school. HEIDI SANDERS, Kent Reporter

Amal Ahmed, a senior at Kent-Meridian High School, did not speak English when she started her freshman year of high school. HEIDI SANDERS, Kent Reporter

Support from teachers, family helps Kent-Meridian student overcome challenges | GREAT GRADS ’17

As Amal Ahmed prepares to graduate from Kent-Meridian High School on Saturday, she said she couldn’t have done it without the support and encouragement from her teachers, counselor and family.

Ahmed, 21, moved to Kent from Kenya in 2013 and didn’t know English when she began her freshman year of high school.

“I didn’t even know how to say hi,” Ahmed said.

With help from her teachers and family, Ahmed learned English and completed high school in four years.

“It was difficult,” she said. “I got a lot of help from my teachers. I stayed after school. They helped me with it.”

Ahmed found the support she needed from her parents and seven siblings.

“They are always on my side – helping me, pushing me,” she said.

Born in Ethiopia, Ahmed moved to the northeastern United States when she was 4 years old and spent five years there before moving to Kenya.

Ahmed learned English while living in the U.S. the first time but forgot most of it while in Kenya.

“I was breaking English and Somali together when I went back,” she said. “I was struggling with that. Nobody knew English.”

Being older than her classmates at Kent-Meridian doesn’t bother Ahmed.

“I got used to it,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how old you are as long you learn something. That is the important thing.”

Learning English isn’t the only challenge Ahmed overcame. She was diagnosed with glaucoma in 2014.

“I lost (vision in) one eye,” she said. “Now I am using one eye to see. I almost failed all my classes, but (I passed) thanks to my teachers. They always believed in me.”

Having glaucoma inspired Ahmed to pursue a career as a health specialist to help others dealing with the disease. She plans to attend Green River College in the fall.

Ahmed encourages others to ask for help as she learned to do.

“I was a shy person when I came here,” she said. “I was shy to ask for help even though I wanted it. I would tell (others) no matter how shy you are just ask them even you don’t think the question is right. At least ask them and see what answer they give you.”


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Kent police investigate fatal two-vehicle collision

The collision killed a woman and left a 45-year-old Tacoma driver, suspected of intoxication at the time of the crash, hospitalized.

Competing for the 8th Congressional District: Carmen Goers, left, and Kim Schrier. COURTESY PHOTOS
Adam Smith and Kim Schrier will retain Congress seats | Election 2024

Smith represents the 9th Congressional District and Schrier represents the 8th Congressional District.

Courtesy of Democratic Caucus
Pictured left to right: Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D), Rep. David Hackney, and Rep. Steve Bergquist
Democratic incumbents in lead for 11th Legislative District

Bob Hasegawa, David Hackney and Steve Bergquist have strong leads, with Hasegawa and Hackney running unopposed.

Debra Entenman and Kyle Lyebyedyev. File photos
Entenman and Stearns lead in 47th District | Election 2024

The district includes Kent, Covington and Auburn.

File photo
Kent School District levy is failing at the polls | Election 2024

Early election results show voters rejecting the proposed Capital Projects and Technology Levy.

Larry Best, a customer coordinator for quality assurance who has worked at Boeing for 38 years, stands outside of Angel of the Winds Arena with a “vote no” sign on Monday in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists approve contract, ending 52-day strike

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans