Westside Messenger - April 7th, 2019

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PAGE 4 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - April 7, 2019 In Education www.columbusmessenger.com A national honor By Dedra Cordle Staff Writer The disappointment Aisho Ali felt was a shared experience with her family. For months, the tight-knit group had provided encouragement as the senior at Franklin Heights High School went after a number of scholarship opportunities and then support after she received word she had not been selected for any of them. “It was really kind of hard to see,” said Ali’s older sister, Maryam Bafadal. To keep the valedictorian from becoming too despondent, they told her to keep applying for scholarships and reminded her that it would work out in the end. “We had confidence that it would be OK,” said Bafadal. During the final round of searching, Ali came upon a scholarship from the National Honor Society that provided a chance for its chapter members to receive up to $25,000 for future studies should they become finalists. With the deadline to apply looming, Ali knew she had to take a chance. “I figured I had nothing to lose,” she said. Working with Clarissa Furlong, her sophomore AP biology teacher and key club adviser, they discussed how to make the student with a long history of volunteerism stand out in a field of equally accomplished students. In the end, Furlong encouraged Ali to share her passion with the advisory board. “I told Aisho to let them know what was in her heart,” she said. And to Furlong, it is a heart filled with wonder, compassion and determination. “She has been making a difference in her community and her school for years, but I think she’s going to make a huge difference in the entire world.” Having sent in her essay about the importance of community and being a positive change, Ali and her family waited for word. And waited. And waited some more. Then one morning, Bafadal received a call from Shelly Mann, the NHS co-adviser at Franklin Heights, who told her that her sister was the recipient of the $25,000 scholarship. “I was half asleep when I answered, but then I was wide awake, my heart beating Messenger photo by Dedra Cordle Falcons perform in spring musical After months of rehearsals, costume fittings and finding the perfect shade of green, the theater department at Franklin Heights High School is ready to present “Shrek the Musical” to the masses. Shown here (from left to right) are principal actors Jacob Harding (Lord Farquaad), Tara Schwartz (Fiona), Austin Eldridge (the Bishop), Tyler Slussar (Shrek) and J’Von Jones (Donkey) during a marriage scene. “Shrek the Musical” will be held at the school, located at 1001 Demorest Road, on April 12 at 7 p.m. and April 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $3 for children and seniors, and $7 for adults and can be purchased at the door. Messenger photo by Dedra Cordle Aisho Ali, a senior at Franklin Heights High School, received a $25,000 National Honor Society scholarship during a surprise ceremony on March 22. Her selection from the NHS parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, marks the first time a student in the South-Western City School District has received the award. Pictured with Ali (second from left) is principal Tim Donahue, Dr. Beverly Hutton and Dr. Christine Handy, the deputy executive director of program services and the president, respectively, of the NASSP. so fast,” said Bafadal. Knowing that a surprise ceremony with a delegation from the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the parent organization of NHS, was forthcoming, Bafadal was sworn to secrecy. “I had to tell the rest of my family, of course, but we promised not to make any mention to Aisho,” she said. It was a promise that was hard to keep for the family that is used to sharing everything with each other. “I was scared I would tell,” said her mother, Fatma Bafadal. Complicating issues was Ali’s planned absence the day of the ceremony as she was set to interview with advisers with the early assurance program at Ohio State University’s College of Pharmacy. Though the meeting was postponed, Ali thought she might take the day off. “We told her she had to go to school,” said Maryam Bafadal. “I was very confused as to why they kept telling me I had to go,” said Ali. “I don’t make it a habit to miss school so I was very puzzled by their behavior.” Though suspicious, Ali didn’t think much of it when an announcement went over the public address system stating that all NHS chapter members should report to the auditorium. Nor did she give it further thought when a section was filled with people in business attire. Then, as Dr. Christine Handy, the president of the NASSP spoke of a student and an essay that “exemplified all that is great” about the NHS, a shock of sorts overcame her. “I didn’t know what was happening,” said Ali. “I didn’t know if someone else in our chapter had sought out this scholarship or if they were really here for me.” She said she couldn’t believe that it was her they were there for. “It’s having trouble sinking into my brain,” she said. “This means so much to me and my family. I don’t want them to have to worry about coming up with the money to pay for school or the prospect of debt, mine or theirs, so this is a real blessing.” Handy said Ali was chosen for the $25,000 scholarship out of 11,000 applicants and 600 finalists because she best represents the four pillars of the NHS — scholarship, leadership, service and character. “She stood out as a person who exemplified all of those traits and more,” said Handy, referring to Ali’s work fighting the teen opioid epidemic with the Ohio Attorney General’s Teen Ambassador Board, her co-founding of the school’s UNICEF chapter (with Maryam), her academics and her future pursuits. “We know she will go far in life.” Having been accepted to Ohio State, Ali plans to enroll in the college of pharmacy where she intends to continue her work in the fight against opioid abuse. “I don’t know what I’m going to do exactly but it has always been my goal to help other people,” she said. “I think we need to treat others well and try our best to be a positive change.” Furlong said she has no doubt Ali will continue to do just that. “If she has her mind set on something, it will happen,” she said.
www.columbusmessenger.com April 7, 2019 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 5 Market analysis says the Hilltop has room to grow “Where are the jobs in the Hilltop?” It’s a question many have asked and Columbus City Council has taken the charge to answer. In 2018, council commissioned the Hilltop Retail Market Analysis and Small Business Opportunity Study to create a tool for local business leaders and the department of development to advocate for small business, retail, and commercial development in the area. “We were witnessing major housing and retail investment in Franklinton, but it seems to stop there,” said former President Pro Tem Michael Stinziano. “Council and the community are wondering the same thing. Why hasn’t small business and retail development expanded to the Hilltop?” The study, which was funded by the city in 2018, gathered data around key indicators that businesses use to evaluate expansion and relocation opportunities, such as spending power, workforce and market saturation. “Our residents’ lives are better when they don’t have to cross town to get what they need, and what we’re seeing is that our Hilltop residents are doing just that,” said Councilwoman Elizabeth Brown. “This study makes it easier to sell businesses on why the Hilltop is just the place for them - to their benefit and to our residents’, too.” Some of the key findings of the study: • There is $413 million in local spending power but only 14 percent to 18 percent of that is being spent in the Hilltop itself. Specific opportunities for growth are in local restaurants, hardware stores, personal care, and medical services. • Hilltop homeowners are projected to outnumber renters by 2024 which provides local small businesses with a reliable base of customers that are invested in the community. The Hilltop is well positioned to be marketed and re-established as a desirable affordable place for working and middleclass owner-occupied housing. • About nine in ten workers are currently commuting into the area from elsewhere in the region for their jobs, adding to the market potential that can be tapped in the Hilltop if these workers move locally to be closer to their jobs. • West Broad Street has several redevelopment sites that could attract national retailers to the area and that Sullivant Avenue has the potential to develop into a unique business district based around international foods and products. “With its tight-knit neighbors, long-time residents, and rich history, we didn’t need a study to tell us the Hilltop is a place of promise. We needed this study to enable a more powerful kind of advocacy that speaks the same language as the businesses we’d like to see come to the neighborhood,” said Brown. Highland Garden gets local food award To read the full report, visit www.columbus.gov and search Hilltop Market Study. The city of Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Board, in conjunction with the Franklin County Local Food Council, announced Highland Youth Garden as the winner of the inaugural Local Food Champion Award. Councilwoman Priscilla Tyson honored Highland Youth Garden with a resolution at the March 25 city council meeting. The Local Food Champion Award recognizes and celebrates grassroots community efforts that support the Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Action Plan’s vision of a fair and sustainable food system that benefits the economy, environment and people. The Local Food Champion’s work embodies one or all of the goals outlined in the Local Food Action Plan: Goal A: Enhance coordination and communication among existing food resources and agencies. Goal B: Improve access to and education about healthy food, affordable food and local food. Goal C: Increase the role of food in economic development. Goal D: Prevent food-related waste. “Highland Youth Garden has performed significant work to improve access to and education about healthy food as well as local food. This honor is well deserved for their gardening education efforts in the Hilltop community,” said Tyson. “I am happy to see this inaugural award go to such a dedicated garden.” The Highland Youth Garden’s achievements were also honored during a special ceremony at the Franklin County Local Food Council meeting on March 20 at Columbus Public Health. Highland Youth Garden is celebrating 10 years of educational gardening in the Hilltop. It serves 350 youth with two part-time staff members and 500 volunteers. The garden offers garden education lessons to students from Highland Elementary and Educational Academy for Boys and Girls. The garden offers monthly harvest gatherings where 75 community members, volunteers and sponsors harvest produce and celebrate with a meal. The Highland Youth Garden on the Hilltop received the Local Food Champion Award. Franklin County Local Food Council is an independent advisory council that brings together people from across the food system, from growers to eaters, with a particular interest in people and neighborhoods most affected by food system policies and programs. The organization provides space for education and information sharing and supports community engagement, food system-related campaigns, and mentorship for food system ideas. It also serves as a way for residents of Columbus and Franklin County to be involved in the implementation of the Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Action Plan. Nominations will be open until April 15 for the next Local Food Champion Award. For more information, visit www.fclocalfoodcouncil.org. Accuratax of columbus 3099 Sullivant Ave. • 614-274-6900 (at the corner of Westgate & Sullivant) Bring in This Ad and Receive a Discount! “Serving The Hilltop Since 1983” APPLIES ONLY TO TAX RETURN PREPARATION Hrs: Mon.-Thurs. 10 am - 6 pm Fri. & Sat. 10 am-5 pm Not Valid With Any Other Coupon 2019 Spring Homecoming Saturday, May 4, 2019 2 pm to 4 pm Everyone is invited to this celebration. 2833 Valleyview Dr. (corner of Valleyview & Hague) On the Hilltop since 1893!
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Westside Messenger - April 7th, 2019

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