Wisdom Onuoma

Peer Leader, Everett Middle School

"Wisdom's personal story of immigration and perseverance motivates him to create change in his school, community, and homeland."

Wisdom Onuoma is a Nigerian immigrant who came to the United States 13 years ago. He is an avid soccer player both in and outside school. He has been in Peer Resources for two years. Last year, he was a member of the Peer Resources class that implemented the transformative institutional change project that led to the creation of an enrichment class for male Latino newcomers. He also worked to develop a workshop to help under-documented folks understand their rights and know what to do in the event of an ICE raid. This year, he working to educate students on staff on identifying and interrupting sexual harassment at Everett Middle School. In support of addressing this topic, he is also conducting teacher observations to identify best teaching practices and to identify ways that teacher strengthen their relationships with students. The idea is that if students have a strong relationship with their students, then students will be more likely to ask for help when they being sexually harassed or oppressed.

"The impact that I want to have in the world is for the world to know who I am. What I mean by this is I want the world to know that I can create change in whatever I decide to do. If that is in sports by playing soccer or in serving in a government seat, or even if I am a garbage man, I want to make sure that I create change for the better.

"I have made that impact as a youth and a community leader because in my school community I have made change at Everett Middle School by helping our male Latino newcomers feel more welcome here at our school by proposing an after school enrichment class and helping them understand their rights in the event of an ICE raid. Currently, I hope to improve teacher and student relationships so that students who are victims of sexual harassment will feel supported and we will have a stronger community overall."

Wisdom Onuoma