Ibrahima Balde
Myself Third Spirit of New York 2006 Scholarship Winner
Bronx Aerospace Academy
Lehman College
"While Mr. Balde's record in his civic work is outstanding; his peers and his teachers have also often made a special point of telling me how highly they regard him as a person. He is strongly motivated, imaginative, and cheerful. He is a hard worker, and he works well with everybody—faculty and classmates. Moreover, Mr. Balde has a commendable sense of duty; not once in a period of three years did he ever have an excuse for not completing his homework."
—Njeru Waithaka, English and Economics Teacher
Work, Volunteer, and Extra-Curricular Activities
- Peer Tutor, Anti-Defamation League
- Secretary, Student Government
- Instructor/Drill Sergeant, AFJROTC Program
Excerpts from Ibrahima's Essay
In 2003, I was one of a handful of students chosen by Bronx Aerospace to become involved with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) program. During a spring break, I was selected to take an ADL peer training class. I received a certification that allowed me to conduct workshops in high schools and middle schools in the Bronx. These workshops focused on students learning about prejudice and how to deal with stereotypes and racism. The students not only got the opportunity to express their feelings but [also] learned how to cope with difficult situations of prejudice.
I believe that many students were changed as a result of the workshops I led. … And I, too, learned a great deal about myself and other people from my involvement with ADL. I know I will always use my ADL experience in my relationships at school, in my community, and later on in my work.
