Abigail, the daughter of our own Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam, has been named “Young Humanitarian of the Year” by the California-based St. Mary Hospital Foundation.
It is not surprising that Abi is named a humanitarian. Her father, who is giving voice to the voiceless people in Ethiopia with his powerful writings, is a role model not only to his daughters, but all young Ethiopians to grow up as conscientious individuals.
Abi Mariam: Young Humanitarian of the Year
(St. Mary Medical Center) — In the Fall of 2007, Abi Mariam began volunteering in the Junior Volunteer
program at St. Mary Medical Center, where she has been a fixture ever since. Her mother, Mesrak Gessesse, is Director of Network Development at St. Mary, and her father, Al Mariam is a lawyer and professor at Cal State San Bernardino. “I’ve grown up at St. Mary Medical Center,” said Abi. “I like being able to give back to an organization that’s given a lot to my family and my community.”
Abi is extremely active with her school and in the community as well. She serves as President of the Granite Hills Key Club, a service organization, and actively participates in fundraisers for the Invisible Children Club, a non~profit organization raising money for child soldiers forced to fight in Northern Uganda. Abi is also President of the on-campus tutoring club ATAP (Academic Tutoring and Preparation and the Director of Debate in her school’s Junior Statesmen of America .
In addition to being involved in these and other fundraising and advocating efforts, Abi still finds time to maintain a 5.0 GPA with 4 Advanced Placement courses during the school year!
After high school, Abi plans to attend a four-year university and study political science and government. She is fascinated by different political ideological philosophies and how they can function in modern government. She says, “I have been fortunate to realize at a young age that a life serving others is a life well lived, and I believe my talents and interests will be best directed to helping others through my understanding and usage of our government.”
At such a young age, Abi is already aware of the importance of not only being involved in the community, but spreading that message of involvement to others, young and old alike. “I’ve been blessed with an unbelievably supportive family, wonderful teachers and amazing friends,” she commented. “These gifts are not mine to keep; they’re something I should share with others, and the only way I can give back some of what I’ve been given is through service.”