Helena Berhe’s involvement in Mount Vernon High School student government and school activities are helping her pursue her goal of a career in international relations and peacekeeping.

She has been active in the College Help Club, a self-help group for students in the process of applying to colleges. She says that by helping others, she also helped herself. She feels that her work with the club helped her get accepted early decision to her first choice, American University School of Political Science.

After joining the Black Student Union, she founded the Young Democrats Club at Mount Vernon High School. She says she was amazed that this club did not already exist at the school, even though the school had a Young Republicans Club.

Helena explained that she was disturbed by the polarized atmosphere throughout the United States and how minorities were being belittled, scapegoated, and attacked in much of the discourse taking place in the country. Perhaps inspired by her vision and passion, her classmates elected her to be president of the class of 2021.

Helena is also passionate about the needs of refugees and wants to work on humanitarian relief efforts -- making lives better for those who face great hardships. “When you know someone who has fled their home and been homeless, you develop a deep empathy and understanding of people who suffer,” she said. She sees peace on two levels. There is the larger level of global issues such as wars, refugees, and climate change but, just as important, is work done in the home and the community.

College and Career Specialist Kimberly Orr says, “Helena has been driven to get involved and let her voice be heard.”