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Showing posts with label Katy Dresnok. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katy Dresnok. Show all posts

Friday, June 6, 2025

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.” <

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Student groups coordinate effort supporting families in need for holidays

By Elizabeth Richards

In a year where more families than ever may be struggling to provide a holiday celebration for their families, the honor societies and Student Council at Windham High School are pulling together to give back to the community.

“All of the honor societies like to give back during the season,” said Katy Dresnok, coordinator for the French Honor Society at WHS.

Five different organizations at Windham High
School, including the honor societies and student
council are teaming up to collect donations to
sponsor families in need in the area this 
Christmas season. FILE PHOTO  

Because of COVID, she said, making connections is harder this year. Although clubs are connecting online, they aren't meeting in person, and activities they've done in the past aren't a possibility this year.  

“The kids still want to do something, and give back somehow,” Dresnok said.

As the student groups thought about what that might be, Dresnok said, they realized that a lot of people are having a hard time this year.

Initially, she said, she approached David Dyke, coordinator for the Latin Honor Society and Elizabeth Bubier, coordinator for the Spanish Honor Society with the idea to do something together. The idea was then expanded to include Windham High School’s National Honor Society and the WHS Student Council as well.

The end result is a joint effort among the five groups. They decided to get it out to the public, as well to get as many people as possible involved.

“People want to help, they just don’t know how,” Dresnok said.

For this effort, each school group will coordinate donations to support a different family from Windham or Raymond during the holidays.  With the help of monetary donations from the community, they’ll support at least five families.

“It went from a little thing to a big thing,” Dresnok said.  

The goal is to collect $1,000, which will provide food items, gifts, and a gift card to Hannaford so families can purchase their desired main entrée for their holiday dinner.

Each club will collect and purchase donations according to a list of needs provided by the school social worker, Doug Daigle, who will then get the packages to the families.

Any donations received that exceed the need for the five selected families will either be used to extend the effort to more families or donated to a community program to help people in need, Dresnok said.

Any excess food donations will be donated to a local food pantry.

Dresnok said they all feel fortunate to be living in Maine, and able to go to school at least part time.  At the same time, she said, they realize that a lot of people are struggling. 

“It feels really good to help people, even if we don’t know who we’re helping,” she said. 

Dresnok appreciates the fact that the students are doing something for others, and they love it too, she said.

“They always go big…the kids are super generous, and this is a way for them to do something for the benefit of the community.”

Monetary donations will be accepted until Dec. 17, which will allow for time to assemble and deliver the items, Dresnok said. 

An account is set up at WHS for people to donate to student activities. 

For this effort, anyone wishing to donate can go to https://rsu14.androgov.com  and select student activities, noting WHS Holiday Fundraising Campaign in the payment description area.

Checks can be sent as well, made out to Windham High School, with Holiday Fundraising Campaign noted on the memo line. <