Yousafzai written by Nydia Ramos (Editor in Chief), Perri written by Sam Reeves (Webmaster/Social Media Director)
Malala Yousafzai
Twenty-one-year old Pakistani activist for female education is the definition of revolutionary. Her advocacy for female education rights in the Middle East has transformed into an international movement.
At the age of 15 years old, she faced an assassination attempt by the Taliban. She miraculously survived a bullet to the head and kept on speaking out for what she believes in.
Her bravery and passion for female rights to acquire an education have earned her the spot of being the youngest ever recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize.
Lieutenant Nyota Uhura
In the original 1960s Star Trek series, the opening line “to boldly go where no man has gone before” stirred its share of controversy.
Among grammarians, it was a split infinitive that technically should be read “to go boldly.”
For women, the line suggested that even in the 23rd century their roles would be secondary.
By the 1980s, the debate over the use of “man” instead of a more inclusive term was settled when Star Trek: The Next Generation producers chose the more politically correct line that addressed both controversies: “to go where no one has gone before.”
But the real breakthrough had already happened.
In 1966, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Nichell Nichols went boldly where few African Americans and women had gone before as she filled the role of Lieutenant Uhura, seating herself on the Starship Enterprise bridge as a linguist, cryptographer and communications officer.
In one move, Lt. Uhura — fourth in command — redefined the notion of what was possible for black women across America.
Nichols considered leaving the show after its first year to pursue a career on Broadway, but Star Trek writer and producer Gene Roddenberry asked her to reconsider. A life-changing encounter with Dr. King at an NAACP fundraiser the following weekend, where King admitted to being a Trekkie and urged her stay because of how important she was to the movement, changed her mind.
“We look on that screen and we know where we are going,” King told her, Nichols recalled in a 2012 The Huffington Post interview.
Uhura made history again in Season 3 (1968), in an episode titled “Plato’s Stepchildren,” when she and Captain Kirk, while under the telekinetic control of aliens, kissed. Though fearing controversy, especially from viewers living in the South, NBC executives decided to air the first interracial kiss on television.
Since 2009, actress Zoe Saldana has filled the role of Uhura.
Doreen Perri
Doreen Perri has served as Indian Trail’s school nurse for about 9 years.
Perri is adamant in her care for students, making sure that they are taking care of themselves as needed, and calls to make sure students are okay if they don’t make their usual visit to the nurse’s office.
Perri is not only steadfast with her student care, she also makes sure to educate students on how to take care of themselves if they’re not entirely sure what to do. She makes sure students stay well equipped according to whatever condition they have.
Thank you Ms. Perri for your dedication and service to the student body!