First Impressions,
Lasting Impressions
Nahom Zerai ’22 is a self-possessed yet energetic new graduate who describes himself as “a very family-oriented person. I would not be where or who I am today without my mom and brother, so I thank both of them for constantly opening doors for me.” That tight bond with his family helped him navigate the lockdown perhaps more readily than other people his age. “The pandemic gave our family the perfect opportunity to discover the various trails we had wanted to hike for years. I really enjoyed this time with them because hiking gave us a chance to unplug and just enjoy each other’s company.”
It was similar with his friends, with whom Nahom would go on runs together in small groups. “At least once a week, some friends and I would meet at various trailheads and run together for hours, but if I’m being honest, we would spend maybe 45 minutes of the four hours actually running.” When everyone returned to campus full-time in fall 2021, Nahom reveled in “getting to eat lunch with my friends again because those always ended up being the most exciting and weird parts of my day.”
The last two years have “given us all a lot of extra time, and I chose to do a lot of self-reflection.” Nahom shares that he rediscovered his Christian faith, and as a result, feels he’s in the best place he’s ever been in his life, emotionally and spiritually. But he recognizes that not everyone fared as well as he did. “In the future, I hope our society focuses more on mental wellness, and that people take the time to find themselves, instead of looking outwardly for validation.”
“I definitely learned the importance of mental well-being, which is something I highly cherish now.”
Hearing Nahom share his experiences, it becomes evident why this introspective young man, who enjoys playing guitar and chess, was voted Senior Class President. Nahom has taken full advantage of the array of extracurricular opportunities in his time at Prep, participating in track and cross-country since the eighth grade, as well as bowling. (This past May, Nahom took first place in the State 3200 meter race.) He was on the National Honor Society leadership team, played an active role in Senior Senate, and was a member of Prep’s Black Student Union.
As he reflects on moving beyond Prep’s campus, Nahom relished his favorite subjects at Prep specifically “because of the wonderful teachers. They were always willing to help you understand anything you were having difficulty with, and their love for a subject was contagious.” In his years as a Sundevil, he enjoyed “any class in the STEM field. So, engineering, physics, calculus, and chemistry are among some of my favorite subjects.” His affinity for these intensive topics comes from appreciating “the problem-solving required. Learning and creating new approaches to finding solutions is not only invigorating, but it allows me to go out into the real world and find solutions to everyday problems.”
Of course, when it comes to the “real world,” Nahom is clear on his academic next steps. “I want to major in biomedical engineering wherever I attend, and I am planning on either double-majoring or minoring in philosophy.” He’s already been accepted to Rice University—which happened to be his number one pick. “There’s a good chance I’ll enroll there. However, I’ve also been accepted to Columbia University, Washington University in St. Louis, Northwestern, and the University of New Mexico, among others, so I want to take the time to weigh all my options and find where God is calling me to go.”
Before heading off to college, Nahom and his close friends are planning a summertime cross-country road trip. They’re going to visit some of the country’s most notable national parks, like the Redwoods in California and Yellowstone in Wyoming. It’s then that Nahom gets wistful about how his schooling at Prep began, seven years prior. “I came to Prep in the sixth grade, and what most stood out to me was the atmosphere. Even before I had officially become part of the Prep family, I felt so welcome on my Buddy Day that I knew this was exactly the place I wanted to be. Everyone [at Prep] is so kind and supportive, so I immediately felt at home from the very start. I am happy to say that my first impressions have lasted throughout my years here, and I believe they will forever be ingrained in my heart.”
