Yohannes Tador Tot interviewed by

Kristin Zagurski the World Herald

Staff writer in Omaha

 

 

Mr. Yohannes Tador Tot

 

Sudanese refugee achieves success in the classroom and the community

 

Yohannes Tador made history in Nebraska when he became the first Sudanese student in Nebraska to finish in the top 10 percent of a high school graduating class.

Add to the Benson High graduate’s list of accomplishment numerous college scholarships and a team cross country state championship, and you got an excited 19-year-old.

But things weren’t always so good for Tador. War displace his family from Sudan more than two decades ago. The family moved to Ethiopia, where Tot was born in 1983. for eight years as a child, he walked five miles each way to attend school at a refugee comp.

            In 1983, Tot, his sister and a cousin came to Omaha to live with Tot’s older brother and guardian, Chuol Tot Gach. Tador found his first day of school in Omaha confusing. He didn’t know what class to go to next, he said. In Africa, you sit in one classroom all day.

Tador also found it difficult to adjust to the language. I never spoke English at all, Tador said. It was very hard for me.

But several people pushed Tador to succeed, and he eventually became an involved student. In addition to being on Benson’s state championship cross country team in 2001, Tot was a member of upward Bound.

 

Success: Dedication pays off for Sudan Refugee

The national honor society, youth leadership Omaha and Benson’s English as a Second language Club, of which he was named student of the year.

I just wanted to do fun things, he said. I want to have a lot of fun in high school.

Tador also found time to volunteer, becoming a youth basketball coach, a nurse’s aid at Creighton University Medical Center and an English tutor, among other things.

Tador’s involvement and hard work paid off last month, when he was named one of 50 national Coca-cola scholars an a award that comes with $20,00. Nearly 25o students from a pool of 104,000 applicants competed for the 50 national and 200 regional scholarships at the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend April 24-27 in Atlanta.

During the weekend, the scholars were interviewed by a selection committee about academic achievement, school and community leadership and their desire to succeed.

           

 

The judges chose Tador as one of the top scholars for his academic and civic excellence.

In addition to the $20,000 award, he was given a certificate, a gold pin and a $500 Presidential Freedom scholarship for his community service contributions.

Yohannes Tador Tot has shown an unwavering commitment, leadership and service to his school and community, said Sandy William, chairman of the board of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

            The Coca-Cola foundation wasn’t the only organization to honor Tador.

Tador plans to attend UNO this fall, majoring in biotechnology or biology and pre-medicine. He eventually wants to get his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

After he finishes school, Tador wants to go back to Africa, but just to visit. I want to stay in United States, in Omaha, he said. For now, Tador is taking an English class at Metro Community College to gear up for school in the fall.

 

On his Coca-Cola scholarship application, Tador wrote, “My families have a very big influence on me and support me a lot for my education from where they are in Africa.” He said his family in Omaha as well as the Sudanese community at large also has been supportive of  him.

I think they are real excited for me, he said. They are very happy. All these Sudanese people was like, you did a good job. I think it’s kind of good for me.

 

 

Yohannes Tador Tot interviewed by

Kristin Zagurski the World Herald

Staff writer in Omaha

 

NCA Nasir Community Association

 

NCA (Nasir community Association) organized a party on May 25, 2003 for fifteen Students high school graduates including Mr.Tador, and two others students who graduated for Bachelor Mr Gatluak Tudial and Associate degree Mr. Gatluak Kier, both in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NCA was a gracious host the celebration party and strength  official decision made by NCA’s representatives and board directors have designed twenty seven (Recognition Award Certificates) as appreciation to  Nasir student’s achievements. Nasirian people all over Nebraska felt happy for four essential things as the following:

 

ü     He was a first Sudanese student in Nebraska, to finish in the top 10 percent of a high school graduating class.

ü     He was a first Nuer student in Nebraska, to finish in the top 10 percent of a high school graduating class.

ü     He was a first Nasir Student to finish in the top 10 percent of a high school graduating class. And

ü     He made history of education for all Sudanese refugee in Nebraska.

 

Mr. Tador is learning now four Years degree in University of Nebraska, majoring in biotechnology and pre-medicine. Mr. Tador plans to gets his medical degree from UNOMC .

Komach Deng said, Mr. Tador did a great job last Year, hopefully, next three Years Mr. Tador will do a great job in UNO than what he had don in high school. I have good confident to be succeed.

 

I  extremely encouraging all youngest Nasirian students who are learning in school to make history like Tador did in State of Nebraska, please try your best in where you are around the global.

 

 

Thanks

 

 Post by Komach Deng, Dey

 

Merry Christmas and have a new Year