The words kindness and dedication best describe this year’s class president, Meklit Abel, who managed not only to lead her class for three consecutive years but, alongside her co-council, revived Malden High’s school spirit and left behind a touching legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
When Abel first entered high school, she was unaware of the encompassing role class presidents fulfilled. Looking up to the Class of 2021 and 2022, Abel witnessed their high level of commitment and felt inspired to run for the same position. Her unexpected victory junior year marked what she referred to as one of “the most memorable” moments of her time at Malden High.
After dedicating “a lot of time” and “a lot of work,” the Class of 2024 has successfully raised over $20,000 for prom, graduation, and caps and gowns—an exceptional feat that would otherwise have been impossible to achieve without the teamwork and devotion of the council members. However, Abel remarked that it was initially difficult for students from such different backgrounds, friend groups, and personalities to bond. Yet, after working with each other year after year, they eventually grew a connection so deep that Abel no longer sees them as just “a council or friends,” but rather a family whose goodbyes will be entirely bittersweet.
Under the leadership of Abel, the Class of 2024 has left a notable mark on Malden High, starting new traditions like the Spring Soiree and Back-to-School Fest. Furthermore, Abel believes that her class brought back the concept of school spirit.
Having returned to in-person learning after enduring years of the pandemic, “everybody seemed so dead and nobody really wanted to bring that spark back up,” she said. During the pep rallies hosted each fall, the Class of 2024 has not failed to show their undying enthusiasm and pride, championing large and colorful posters, banners, and loud cheers.
But by far, Abel feels that the class’ best event was Junior Varieties. Although “it was the most stressful time of all of our lives during that time, I would say that was one of the best moments and the best fundraiser that we’ve had.”
One of her favorite parts about being in student council is the connections that she has formed not only with her co-council, but with the advisors, who she regards as “second parental figures.” She continued, “I’ve never been so close to an adult figure before besides my mom. I’ve never been so close to where I feel like I could just tell them everything… They really care for you like a second mother and it’s just the sweetest thing that I’ve ever been able to experience and I’m really hoping that college is like that.”
Throughout her journey, Abel attributes her ability to navigate school to her mother and aunt, who have always supported her. “No matter what idea I have, it’s never a dumb idea… I’m just so filled with love and respect and appreciation towards them that I can’t even put it into words.”
Outside of the student council, Abel is actively involved with both the school and community, as co-founder and president of Black Student Union, member of the Science National Honor Society and National Honor Society, and student representative for the Malden City Council. Abel is also a longtime member of a nonprofit organization, the Massachusetts Ethiopians Support Association.
Throughout the last four years, Abel has ultimately learned the importance of teamwork. Despite her initial self-sufficient mindset, working with her counselor and the various organizations she’s involved with have led her to realize that “I can’t always do things alone and it’s always okay to ask for help. I don’t have to carry that burden on myself; there are other people around me that are willing to help.”
As she enters this new chapter of her life, Abel most hopes that she has made a lasting and kind impression on those around her. “I hope that people don’t just see me as ‘Oh, she’s class president.’ I want them to be like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s Meki, I love her. She’s so sweet. She’s so good.’ I hope whatever comes out of people’s mouths about me is like the best, most lovable nice things that they could say.”
It appears that in the eyes of science teacher Kate Haskell, Abel has undoubtedly achieved this goal. Haskell remarked that Abel was “the kind of person that always showed up, ready to learn, ready to go right off the bat.” As the two have gotten closer over the past three years through classes and SNHS, Haskell has also been able to witness her kindness: “She always makes everyone smile around her… And she is just the kind of person that could do anything she wanted and take advantage of so many different opportunities.”
Ever since she was three, after seeing a family member’s chipped tooth and their reluctance to seek dental assistance, Abel dreamed of being a dentist. As this aspiration stayed with her throughout high school, Abel plans to attend Bentley University in the fall for Health Studies and Business as part of her pre-dental track.
Science teacher Julie Grillon praised Abel for her well-roundedness and personability, commenting, “She has this wealth of knowledge that I don’t think a lot of people
do, and it’s real world knowledge as well as academic knowledge… there’s really not a situation you can throw [her] in that I don’t think she’s prepared for, so just be confident in yourself, believe in yourself and, go crush them out there.”
As a final message to the senior class, Abel expressed her gratitude that despite losing a year of high school to COVID, “we were still able to come back from that” and be “one of the most impactful classes in the past” years.
“I feel like we couldn’t have done that if we weren’t working hard together… It wasn’t just individual efforts, more of a team effort.”
And to underclassmen, Abel spoke a word of advice: “Just be loving and respectful people—you never know what someone could be going through or dealing with.”
Science teacher Brian Morrison, who became familiar with Abel through her work as class president, noted that “as she graduates I would encourage her to remain passionate about school and continue to join social organizations where she can hone her leadership skills and make real changes in people’s lives. Meki is intelligent, well-spoken, outgoing, and a positive influence on those around her. I wish her the very best and I am sure she will be very successful in the future.”
