MYNORTHWEST NEWS

This SeaTac student puts most kids and adults to shame

Oct 3, 2013, 12:52 PM | Updated: Nov 15, 2013, 2:12 pm

Brook Negussie of SeaTac's Global Connections High School is the first recipient of KIRO Radio's Standout Student Awards. (Photo courtesy Brook Negussie)

(Photo courtesy Brook Negussie)

Rachel Walker has known plenty of inspirational students during her years teaching at Global Connections High School in SeaTac. But she says Brook Negussie stands out.


Do you know a student who stands out in the classroom, school and community?
Help make their dreams come true by nominating them for a $1,000 scholarship selected monthly and a chance to earn a $10,000 Grand Prize scholarship awarded at the end of the year.

Brook was voted most inspirational student the past three years for his tireless support of his classmates. He gets straight A’s, he’s the president of the Africa United Club on campus, raising books and money for schools in Africa. He plays on the school tennis team, and has become an avid biker, completing the Seattle to Portland bike ride twice.

Those accomplishments alone would put him at the top of his class. Then there’s everything he’s overcome to get there.

“Most don’t realize what he’s been through, from immigrating from Ethiopia in the 4th grade, learning English on his own and coming from a very low-income household where his single mother works long hours at a minimum-wage job to support him and his sister,” says Walker.

It’s why she nominated him to be the first recipient of KIRO Radio’s Standout Student Award. And Brook says he was thrilled to be chosen for the $1,000 scholarship.

“I live with my single mother and it’s going to be really hard to pay for college and stuff like that. It just relieves some pressure in paying for college, which is really nice.”

Hopefully it’s just the first of many scholarships to come. He certainly deserves it. Walker says Brook shows more dedication and tenacity than anyone she’s ever met.

“At times I wondered about what motivates Brook; he works harder than anyone I know. One morning, he looked particularly tired and I asked, When was the last time you got enough sleep? He thought about it for a moment and replied earnestly, ‘I guess in 4th grade.'”

“Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty,” Brook says, and he’s committed to doing all he can to fulfill his mother’s dreams of a better life for her children.

Brook hopes to attend Washington State or Western Washington next year to study engineering. In the meantime, he continues to work tirelessly in school, prepare for college entrance exams, volunteer and participate in sports when he can.

So how does he keep up? Walker says Brook is the most organized person she knows, often reminding her of everything that needs to get done. Brook says the secret is keeping his planner up to date and making sure his alarm clock is working, then sticking to his schedule strictly.

“I just find time to do everything, it’s crazy I know but I just do it. It’s stressful, but it’s worth it.”

As for getting a good night’s sleep? “I’ll eventually get it. Maybe when next summer comes,” he laughs.

That’s why KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and Comprehensive Wealth Management are proud to name Brook Negussie as the Standout Student of the month.

Brook is just one of nine students who will be selected for one of the scholarships. One of the recipients will also receive a $10,000 grand prize scholarship.

Learn more about Standout Student Awards

MyNorthwest News

Pathway of Lights at Greenlake. (Photo: ARC Seattle)...

Paul Holden

Participate in holiday weekend happenings, many of them free

A wintry weekend full of things to do lies ahead, from ice skating to band concerts to bonsai trees. Many of them are free.

12 hours ago

Photo: A mother and her child walk in front of festive Christmas displays....

James Lynch

King County expert urges parents to talk to children amid teacher abuse allegations

KIRO Newsradio reached out to a King County expert to learn what parents should look out for amid teacher sex crime allegations.

13 hours ago

Photo: Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church in Snohomish County was destroyed by fire in August 2023....

Julia Dallas

Texas woman accused of setting fire that destroyed Snohomish County church indicted

Natasha Marie Odell, 38, garnered three felonies related to arson at Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church in Snohomish County last year

16 hours ago

Photo: Seattle and King County have been penalized for sewer discharge violations....

Bill Kaczaraba

Sewer overflow violations cost Seattle, King County thousands of dollars

Seattle and King County were penalized for sewer overflow violations, according to the WA Ecology Dept. and the EPA.

16 hours ago

Photo: Shoreline Police Department used drones to help capture a suspect....

Julia Dallas

Shoreline police release video game-esque drone footage of suspect’s capture

The Shoreline Police Department and King County Sheriff's Department had help from a special tool last month.

18 hours ago

Photo: The goalkeeper guards the net as girls take part in a high school soccer match....

Bill Kaczaraba

WIAA director: Transgender champion brings attention to high school rules

High schools in Washington are considering new trans-athlete rules, partly due to high-profile cases.

18 hours ago

This SeaTac student puts most kids and adults to shame