Overcoming adversity a source of pride for WHS graduate

By Ed Pierce

Resilience isn't always about being unbreakable and sometimes it’s choosing to wake up, breathe, and put one foot in front of the other despite obstacles thrown in your way. Kendra Eubanks knows all too well what it means to be resilient but as she crosses the stage at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Sunday to receive her Windham High School diploma, her journey will have been worth the effort.

Kendra Eubanks has triumphed over bullying and racism to
graduate from Windham High School and is planning to
become a civil rights attorney following college. She
helped create the Black Student Union at WHS and at the 
age of 17 gave a TEDx Talk about dealing with adversity.
PHOTO  BY ED PIERCE
   

As a biracial child, Kendra was bullied and tormented at a middle school in Portland because of her ethnicity.

“As a biracial person from white and black backgrounds, I wasn’t black enough for the black students,” she said. “Their resentment grew into intimidation, and the harassment became so severe that school administrators asked me to eat lunch in the teachers’ lounge for my safety, away from my peers in the cafeteria.”

The bullying continued to worsen at school until one day she was summoned to the principal’s office and told to bring all her belongings. The principal told her and her parents that the school could no longer protect her, and they recommended that she attend another school.

Fearing for her safety, her parents uprooted Kendra from her school and the only community she had known and enrolled her in school in Windham where she didn’t know anyone and was one of only a handful of black students in the school district.”

“I had to meet new people, new teachers, new classes; it was the hardest thing, but I made it through,” Kendra said. “My parents and sisters Shayla and Kiera helped me by supporting me through all my challenges. Being able to talk to them about everything really helped me through some stressful moments.”

At first, it was challenging for her in Windham because of a lack of diversity among students.

“I wasn’t white enough for the white community,” she said. But unlike her previous school experience, she found support from WHS teachers, administrators and a growing sense of belonging among other students of color.

As a freshman at Windham High School, Kendra met another black student, Afomiya Timerga, and together they created the school’s Black Student Union, a group dedicated to educating others, sharing experiences, fostering inclusivity and bringing the school together.

“BSU is not just for black people,” Kendra said., “It’s about making everyone feel connected, being kind and supporting one another. We want to show that diversity is a positive thing and what we can do better when we all work together.”

Being involved with the group opened a lot of doors for Kendra and established invaluable connections for her. It also inspired her to want to go to law school and become a human rights lawyer after college.

“My role models are Michelle Obama, because of how confident and passionate she is; she is just an amazing soul,” Kendra said. “Then both my parents, Amy Edgecomb and Dajuan Eubanks. They are both so hard working and care about their jobs and balance their life out while having kids and a family.”

Windham High School administrators and teachers have marveled at how far Kendra has come and her potential in life.

Despite being only 17 at the time, last November Kendra was invited to give a TEDx Talk at the University of New England’s Portland campus about overcoming adversity, embracing resilience, and discovering the strength that comes from self-advocacy and community. Her message was she doesn’t want people to feel bad for her but to see how she overcame her challenges and how much good came out of everything. 

“It’s been incredible to watch Kendra grow as a leader,” said WHS Assistant Principal Philip Rossetti. “She’s been a tireless advocate for her classmates. Her willingness to educate peers and staff on equity issues has led to a lasting change in our culture and climate. She has left a positive impact on WHS.”

This fall Kendra will be attending the University of Maine, where she will be studying Political Science before heading into pre-law studies.

She credits WHS teachers Tianna Burton and Jen Dumont for helping her to start the Black Student Union at Windham High School and guiding her along the way into more of a leadership role among students.

“I am very passionate and care about people and my dreams and aspirations,” Kendra said. “Graduating from high school I have made my little self very proud because the little me who got bullied did not think she was going to make it to graduation, but I did, and I’m so proud of myself.” <

WHS grad conquers challenges to achieve dream

By Ed Pierce

To all that know her, Afomiya Timerga, certainly lives up to the meaning of her first name. In Ethiopian, Afomiya means “pure joy” and among Windham High School’s Class of 2025, no one personifies the definition of overcoming personal challenges to achieve joy and happiness more than her.

Afomiya Timerga moved to the United States from Ethiopia
as a 5-year-old and became a U.S. citizen in 2015. She is
among the Class of 2025 graduates at Windham High School
and will attend the University of Southern Maine to study
marketing and accounting. She plans to become a real estate
agent and own a business someday. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE  

Afomiya moved to the United States at the age of 5 from her birthplace of Ethiopia, speaking very little English but embracing the endless possibilities of freedom and living in a nation free of war, poverty, disease, and a daily struggle to survive. It wasn’t easy at first to fit in, but she did her best to adapt to her new life with her mother in Portland.

“The hardest part was adjusting to a new country,” Timerga said. “When you’re younger it is easier to pick up on things. I tried to make friends and learn the language.”

Having attended elementary school in Portland, another huge transition took place in Timerga’s life when her mother, Abebanesh Abdela, purchased a home in Windham and her family, including Afomiya, her brother Musea Timo, and her sister Minaida Timon, relocated here when she was halfway through seventh grade.

“It was like I was starting over again,” she said. “At my school in Portland I knew everyone, but here I didn’t know anybody in Windham and felt isolated and alone. But eventually I made friends at Windham Middle School and things gradually improved.”

In 2015, she joined her mother in becoming a U.S. citizen during a ceremony in Portland.

“My biggest role model in life is my mom. She’s shown me what it truly means to work hard, raising three children on her own as a single mother,” Timerga said. “Despite the challenges, she remains strong, determined, and full of faith. She’s helped me stay grounded in my relationship with God, especially in a world full of distractions and temptations. Through her example, I’ve learned the value of a strong work ethic and the importance of never giving up, no matter what life throws at you.”

During her time at Windham High School, she tried to avoid the spotlight to some extent but worked to consistently make a positive impact at the school.

“Whether it was through my involvement in the Black Student Union, where I worked to create a more inclusive and supportive environment, or simply by encouraging others and staying true to who I am, I’ve always aimed to lead by example,” Timerga said. “I believe that small actions, showing up, staying kind, and being dependable, can make a big difference.”

To do that, Timerga said one of her biggest challenges that she had to overcome was learning how to believe in herself.

“Throughout high school, I have felt self-doubt, stress, and the responsibilities that I had to keep up with,” she said. “I also learned how to manage my time and balance everything out. There were many nights where I felt exhausted and was not sure that I could make it, but I did. Something a lot of my classmates may not know about me is that I’m not as quiet as I seem. While I may come off as reserved at first, I’m actually very hard-working, passionate, and determined behind the scenes. Once I’m comfortable, I open up more and people are often surprised by how driven and focused I am on my goals.”

Timerga credits two teachers at WHS in helping her.

“I want to thank my BSU advisor, Tianna Burton, and my tennis coach and French teacher, Kary Dresnok,” she said. “Mrs. Burton has been more than just a teacher, ever since I met her, she has been a guiding light. She pushes me to do better, not just academically, but as a person. When I created the Black Student Union, I created and built a safe space for me to find my voice and connect with others who share a similar experience. My tennis coach also played a huge part in my growth, and reaching graduation because on and off the court, she has taught me to stay disciplined and work hard for what I want. Whenever I was in trouble, I could always count on her for advice.”

Of all the classes she took at Windham High, several are more memorable for Timerga than the rest.

“The two that stand out to me the most were Honors Chemistry and Honors US History,” she said. “Honors Chemistry was the first class that taught me to study independently and how to manage my time. I focused on staying disciplined and pushing through difficult topics, and in that process, I became a better student. The hardest class I took at WHS was Honors Chemistry. It really pushed me to my capacity because the materials required a lot. Looking back, I appreciate that class because it is another testimony that even though it might be hard when you're in it, it all works out in the end because I passed that class and I made it through. I also enjoyed Honors History because the way it was taught made everything come to life. There was never a dull moment in that class where I wasn’t engaged.”

She says that her favorite teacher at Windham High School is Tianna Burton because she has been there for her and has guided her to do better in every situation, making her comfortable and giving her a place of belonging.

As a student, Timerga considers her greatest strength to be the ability to get it done no matter what.

“I don’t easily give up on materials and I seek out help when needed,” she said. “I’m able to stay focused and when it gets hard, I’m not afraid to ask for help. I have learned throughout the years that I can’t do everything on my own. If I need help, then I should speak up for myself and ask for help when needed. One fact that I learned while at WHS is that not everybody is going to agree with you. It’s how you take the disagreement that really matters. I’ve learned that staying respectful, open-minded, and true to yourself is more important than always being right. This lesson has helped me grow – not just as a student, but as a person – and it’s something I’ll carry with me throughout life.”

After graduation, her immediate plan is to go to college. She’s been accepted to attend the University of Southern Maine where she will be majoring in accounting and marketing.

“After completing my education, I hope to enter the business world, possibly starting my own company or working in accounting or marketing,” Timerga said. “I am also interested in real estate. Whatever I choose to do, I know that I will succeed because I have faith and I’m guided and protected always. My number one goal is to be happy.” <