Even as the school year comes close to its end, students in the senior class are still making waves throughout the school. Out of the many students in the senior class, senior Mareah Brookens has made a lasting impact on the framework of her school’s inclusivity and leadership.
“I came here my sophomore year from another school I didn’t like very much,” Brookens said. “I think when I first came here, PantherQuest was my best memory. I remember my leaders were so sweet and they introduced me to Black Student Union.”
As a new student, Brookens immediately took her chances to get involved. She took on the challenge of switching schools with the help and support from other leaders around the school.
Through groups such as PantherQuest, Brookens had the opportunity to discover Black Student Union and Carla Sanford, the teacher supervisor of the club.
“Mareah is not very loud, but she is observant, insightful and full of maturity,” Sanford said. “That opened the door for us to, especially, have rich conversations with some of the things that we want to tackle: issues and discussions within the black community in our school.”
Brookens took the role of president of Black Student Union and developed further reasoning behind her esteemed leadership qualities.
“She is very open-minded, though she has some strong convictions,” Sanford said. “She is open-minded when hearing others discuss their opinions. And I think that’s what makes her a quality leader. Some people think it’s just about being upfront, but I think it’s also about being able to step behind and see if everybody’s with you. Mareah is able to bring people along with her.”
Brookens’s impact and views extend beyond the community at school. She strives for the prospect of both positivity and inclusivity.
Furthermore, baking has become one of Brookens’s hobbies. She spreads her love for baking by making baked goods for both customers and friends.
“She’s an amazing baker,” Brooken’s friend senior Chayse Jacks said. “She even made me my own cheesecake for my birthday. She knows I love cheesecake and that it is my favorite dessert. She definitely took her time to make it and I am forever grateful for her as nobody has ever made me my own cheesecake before.”
Brookens’s ability to balance her responsibilities with her forward-looking and positive personality sets her apart from most leaders. Throughout her years at NC, she had developed further inclusivity for the black community and established an image of productive optimism for other students to follow.
