By Anna Matson, staff writer
Indian Trail High School & Academy security guard Alpha Seisay endured extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, until he moved to the United States in 1996.
The opportunity helped him acquire an inspiring optimistic outlook on life, which then continues to spread positivity towards others. “I stay positive because I appreciate every day I am alive, especially in good health. I try to remind people to appreciate just being alive,” said Seisay. “I have bad moments sometimes when people give off negativity, but I quickly remind myself to not go with their flow.”
When Seisay sees students stressed out he succeeds in lifting up their moods.
“When students are struggling, I just remind them to appreciate the good things they have,” said Seisay.
Students brighten up when they see his smiling face around the school.
“It brings positive energy into the school, and only certain people can do that,” said Jacob Maretta, General Studies junior. “And if more people were like that, we’d have a better school, as well as a better community.”
He has been a positive influence on students and his attitude was the reason Communications senior Beatrice Muresanu asked him to be the supervisor of the Peace Keepers club she created.
“He always has a contagious smile on his face. He has a very positive energy and I really wanted to bring that into the club from the start,” said Muresanu.
The students in the Peace Keepers club are grateful to have someone who will support them in their aspirations.
Seisay says he’s always there and that we’re amazing people, said Carina Soria, a General Studies senior.
“Even if we see him just in the hallways he says it’s just so great to see our faces just for a moment and it makes him happy,” said Soria.
He tells each club member that we are so ‘cool’ for being different and having our passions, said Muresanu.
“He always tells us how good people get the most hardships but that it’s only because being a good person isn’t easy,” said Muresanu.
Seisay has given students advice and gives them someone to talk to.
“He gives us advice about the world around us,” said Muresanu.
Seisay will send supplies and school materials to help his family in Sierra Leone.
“I have hundreds of relatives back home,” said Seisay.
“I send supplies whenever I can afford to ship them because shipping is expensive.”
The severe scarcity of needed supplies in Sierra Leone means any excess goods people have here could help improve the lives of those who live there.
“I send whatever school materials I can get,” said Seisay.
IT teachers have given Seisay their extra supplies to send to Sierra Leone.
“The couple times I’ve had extra supplies I’ve given them to Seisay,” said Katie Phillips, IT English teacher. “Notebooks, pens, pencils, paper – basic school supplies.”
Any supplies would be beneficial to them.
“Sierra Leone is so poor that everybody needs everything,” said Seisay.