Arif Wali came to the United States in March 2020, just a week before the national lockdown. Back home, he was a senior in high school, but upon arriving in America, he was required to restart in 9th grade and repeat the same classes. The transition was not easy, but he did not give up. While sitting in those classes, he often wished he could be in his senior year, yet he remained determined to move forward.
Due to the pandemic, Arif’s entire 9th grade year was completed online, which came with many challenges. After finishing that year virtually, he entered 10th grade in person. This transition was difficult not only for him but also for many students facing language barriers and the lasting effects of isolation during the pandemic. Arif quickly began thinking about how he could make a difference and create visibility within the school community. He noticed that many students struggled with teacher–student communication and felt disconnected from the school experience.
