Senior Spotlight: Kiara Betanga
Sarah Rezavi '25 Staff Writer
Sarah Rezavi: Have you made any connections here at Howard?
Kiara Betanga: I can definitely say I've made a lot of friends coming here to Howard. I've gone through many friend groups through my freshman and senior year. I feel like the friends I have now, we've gone on the same path where we want the same things in life and that’s helped me keep focus and keep heading on though high school.
SR: Has being in SGA helped you become more aware of events being planned?
KB: Being in SGA has definitely gotten me more inside and getting to know what’s going on and getting to plan different events. I also feel like being a part of Black Student Union has also brought a lot more, as well as spirit weeks since I'm in the spirit committee. It’s something I've been connected with throughout my four years.
SR: Is juggling the different days complicated?
KB: Definitely, I am a procrastinator when it comes to being able to juggle all these different clubs. I can definitely say I did better my freshman and sophomore year than junior year, but it’s definitely something I love to do.
SR: Do you think the pandemic has affected your high school experience?
KB: I can definitely say in a great way because online I had As and the pandemic really did play in our favor because I didn’t have to take the SAT. I think the pandemic has harmed some people, but has done good as well and made some people go into their shells a bit more. It definitely played a big role in school and interaction.
SR: Which teacher or staff has affected you the most here at Howard?
KB: Mr. Glenn, he’s my counselor and I know he has 500 other kids but he made the time throughout my ninth grade year to build a connection with me. He is such an understanding person and a great person to talk to, so he’s definitely helped me.
SR: Have you participated in any clubs that will benefit you in the future?
KB: I can say being a part of best buddies has helped me in the future because it helps me understand that they are people just like us. I can also definitely say SGA has helped me, I've always been a person who’s never been afraid to say whatever I want to say and being in that leadership position you learn to say that in a better manner.”
SR: Do you have any advice for people more interested in being more involved with the community?
KB: I would say that if you want to be more involved you have to be a people person. You have to be sociable in all different aspects since Howard is a diverse school that has so many different types of people, and you have to kind of reach every single audience and let your personality shine through.
Kiara Betanga: I can definitely say I've made a lot of friends coming here to Howard. I've gone through many friend groups through my freshman and senior year. I feel like the friends I have now, we've gone on the same path where we want the same things in life and that’s helped me keep focus and keep heading on though high school.
SR: Has being in SGA helped you become more aware of events being planned?
KB: Being in SGA has definitely gotten me more inside and getting to know what’s going on and getting to plan different events. I also feel like being a part of Black Student Union has also brought a lot more, as well as spirit weeks since I'm in the spirit committee. It’s something I've been connected with throughout my four years.
SR: Is juggling the different days complicated?
KB: Definitely, I am a procrastinator when it comes to being able to juggle all these different clubs. I can definitely say I did better my freshman and sophomore year than junior year, but it’s definitely something I love to do.
SR: Do you think the pandemic has affected your high school experience?
KB: I can definitely say in a great way because online I had As and the pandemic really did play in our favor because I didn’t have to take the SAT. I think the pandemic has harmed some people, but has done good as well and made some people go into their shells a bit more. It definitely played a big role in school and interaction.
SR: Which teacher or staff has affected you the most here at Howard?
KB: Mr. Glenn, he’s my counselor and I know he has 500 other kids but he made the time throughout my ninth grade year to build a connection with me. He is such an understanding person and a great person to talk to, so he’s definitely helped me.
SR: Have you participated in any clubs that will benefit you in the future?
KB: I can say being a part of best buddies has helped me in the future because it helps me understand that they are people just like us. I can also definitely say SGA has helped me, I've always been a person who’s never been afraid to say whatever I want to say and being in that leadership position you learn to say that in a better manner.”
SR: Do you have any advice for people more interested in being more involved with the community?
KB: I would say that if you want to be more involved you have to be a people person. You have to be sociable in all different aspects since Howard is a diverse school that has so many different types of people, and you have to kind of reach every single audience and let your personality shine through.
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND, MARCH 12, 2022-Kiara Batenga happily poses in uniform, showing off her smile as she awaits to cheer on the beloved girls basketball team one last time during the championship game. Photo via Daijah Standfeir