Latest news with #Arsema
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
12-year-old middle school student killed by runaway SUV laid to rest
Family and friends say a tearful goodbye to a Washington Middle School student after she was killed by a runaway SUV. This, as their Ethiopian community demands Seattle leaders take action. The 12-year-old Washington Middle School student was laid to rest amid the sobs of her parents, surviving sister, family and friends. Her family and their community are now calling on city leaders to do more. The action indeed, the Ethiopian community, would like to see is the arrest of the parent whose vehicle allegedly rolled into this 12-year-old killing her outside her school, as her schoolmates watched in horror. It was almost unbearable for the mother of 12-year-old Arsema Barekew, forced to say goodbye to her precious daughter. Her husband trying to comfort her while dealing with his own grief. On Thursday, March 6, Arsema was outside with her schoolmates at Washington Middle School during second lunch. A parent allegedly parked an SUV in a no-parking zone and left it. Eyewitnesses say the unattended vehicle rolled down 20th Place South and struck Arsema, killing her instantly. Last week, the family shared their concerns first with KIRO 7. 'Did you know that your daughter would be walking around the school outside?' Berihun MeKonnen, her father, was asked. 'No,' he said. 'No, nothing.' They were also upset with Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones. He spoke to reporters at the scene but had not yet spoken to them. That has apparently changed. Jones was spotted at the church service for Arsema and, according to a family spokesman, the district provided this school bus and van for her grieving friends and family. Sebrena Burr, the Seattle Council PTSA co-president, says the parent who drove the SUV and their child need support, too. 'So, my hope and prayer is Seattle Public Schools will be intentional about this whole school community in a restorative way,' Burr said. But Arsema's family and friends want the driver in custody. 'There needs to be some type of action to learn 'oh, you can't just take a life of a little girl and be able to move forward,'' said Ezanna Kasahun, who knows the family through the Yesler Community Center. Seattle police have told KIRO 7 they are actively investigating this terrible accident. They have three months to complete their work. KIRO 7 is staying on this story to keep you up to date.
CBC
15-03-2025
- CBC
He died from a stabbing a decade ago. Now, his sister is using his legacy to help Toronto youth
It's been more than a decade since Nashom Berhane died after a stabbing in Toronto's east end, and since then his sister, Arsema, vowed his death wouldn't become another statistic. The scholarship she started in his memory to help Toronto youth is approaching its 10-year goal of awarding 34 ambitious teens — each for one year of Berhane's life that was cut short. The Nahom Berhane Scholarship for Leadership and Inclusion is now in its final cycle, a milestone Arsema once doubted they could achieve, making it feel like a full circle moment. After all, it's what Berhane, who dedicated himself to supporting youth, would have wanted, she said. "We did it. We really did it as a community" Arsema said. "We've been able to support so many young people in the very way that he was." With his mantra that "everyone has a story," Berhane was known as a charismatic leader, uplifting others around the city through his work with Access Alliance, a health centre. Berhane died after being stabbed on a Danforth Avenue sidewalk in 2014, leaving behind two daughters and a community in mourning. A 23-year-old man charged with second-degree murder in his death was later found not criminally responsible. Those who knew Berhane quickly rallied around Arsema, voicing how much he and his work meant to them. That, says Arsema, made her realize: "Let's have a collective healing process, but let's have something that's going to have an impact for years to come." Scholarship represents 'backbone' of Berhane's work She says there weren't many scholarships at the time to support vulnerable and marginalized people in the city, prompting her to partner with Access Alliance to create one with a promise to keep it going for 10 years. Recipients get $4,000 along with mentorship opportunities and ongoing support – something Arsema says was the backbone of Berhane's work, adding he always rooted for the underdog. The scholarship isn't necessarily meant for those with the highest grades or with the best connections, she added, but for youth who have a track record of helping their community and aspire to keep going in spite of barriers. The scholarship also prioritizes applicants of African descent. "We can help you. We can be the mentor, we can be the person that gets you through that door," she said. Arsema said when they first started the scholarship, they didn't know if they'd be able to raise enough money to keep it going for 10 years. "All of that was just aspirational and coming from a place of, of course, grief," she said. Thanks to over 500 people who donated in the past decade and corporate sponsorships, they'll distribute a total of $118,000 through the scholarships. Applications for this cycle close at the end of March. With the decade-long promise coming to fruition, Arsema says this will likely be the last year the scholarship will be given out in its current version, but she still wants to continue her work inspiring people in her brother's memory. And now — they have a full network of recipients who can help. 'A ripple effect' Access Alliance says many of those who received the scholarship now work in fields ranging from health care to social work while continuing to uplift their communities. One of them was Stephen Mensah, who was only 18 when he applied and now serves as the executive director of the Toronto Youth Cabinet. He says the scholarship made it possible for him to focus on his academic and community work rather than stress about paying for things like books or food. "There's no one who can look at the life of Nahom and not feel motivated, not feel encouraged to continue to persevere," he said. Mensah added that with crime among youth being a prominent issue in the city, scholarships like Berhane's play a pivotal role. "It's like a ripple effect, you know. It inspires me, I inspire my peers in my community." Arsema says it's been healing to watch scholarship recipients uplift their communities in the same way Berhane did. "The legacy that Nahome has left while he was here and what we've been able to sustain, that's the real story for me."
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Devastated family speaks out after 12-year-old girl is killed by a runaway car outside her school
The family of a 12-year-old girl killed by a runaway vehicle outside her middle school are voicing their frustration with her school district. On Thursday, Arsema Mekonnen, 12, was walking outside Washington Middle School in Seattle's central district with her classmates during their lunch period when a vehicle that had been left in a no-parking zone rolled backwards 75 feet down a hill and hit her, according to Seattle police. She died as a result of the accident. Arsema's family told Seattle news station KIRO 7 that they felt abandoned by the Seattle Public School district following their daughter's death. 'Who killed my kid?' Berihun Mekonnen, Arsema's father, asked. 'Why you don't tell me? Why?' The vehicle was left in the no-parking zone by a 51-year-old woman who has not been publicly identified. Police said the vehicle was not fully parked when it began to roll. Local police are still determining whether the driver will face charges in the girl's death. Tigist Yitna, Arsema's mother, said she and her family moved to the United States from Ethiopia to provide a better life for their daughter, but now feel abandoned as they search for answers. 'I brought my daughter here from Ethiopia to have a better life, to go to a better school, get better education. And then I send my child to school and I don't get my child back,' she told KIRO 7 through a translator. The family said they have not been permitted to see their daughter since the day she was killed. Wintan Halie, a friend of the Mekonnens' who translated for them during their interview with KIRO 7, said that no one from the school reached out to them after Arsema's death and accused the officials of leaving the family to 'fend for themselves.' After the incident, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones released the following statement: "My heart is heavy with sorrow as we face the devastating loss of a Washington Middle School student. I am deeply saddened by this tragedy, and my thoughts and condolences are with the student's family, friends and the entire Washington community during this incredibly difficult time.' On Tuesday, Seattle Public Schools chief of staff Bev Redmond contacted KIRO 7, assuring reporters that the district planned to meet with the family "as early as possible this week," and insisted that it was "committed to supporting this family." Arsema's funeral is planned for Sunday, March 16. A GoFundMe has been established for the family by parents of other students attending the middle school. "To support [Arsema's] grieving family during this difficult time, parents are collecting donations big and small to support them through this horrible loss and cover funeral expenses," a message on the GoFundMe states. The fundraiser has already collected $43,000 of its $45,000 goal.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- The Independent
Devastated family speaks out after 12-year-old girl is killed by a runaway car outside her school
The family of a 12-year-old girl killed by a runaway vehicle outside her middle school are voicing their frustration with her school district. On Thursday, Arsema Mekonnen, 12, was walking outside Washington Middle School in Seattle's central district with her classmates during their lunch period when a vehicle that had been left in a no-parking zone rolled backwards 75 feet down a hill and hit her, according to Seattle police. She died as a result of the accident. Arsema's family told Seattle news station KIRO 7 that they felt abandoned by the Seattle Public School district following their daughter's death. 'Who killed my kid?' Berihun Mekonnen, Arsema's father, asked. 'Why you don't tell me? Why?' The vehicle was left in the no-parking zone by a 51-year-old woman who has not been publicly identified. Police said the vehicle was not fully parked when it began to roll. Local police are still determining whether the driver will face charges in the girl's death. Tigist Yitna, Arsema's mother, said she and her family moved to the United States from Ethiopia to provide a better life for their daughter, but now feel abandoned as they search for answers. 'I brought my daughter here from Ethiopia to have a better life, to go to a better school, get better education. And then I send my child to school and I don't get my child back,' she told KIRO 7 through a translator. The family said they have not been permitted to see their daughter since the day she was killed. Wintan Halie, a friend of the Mekonnens' who translated for them during their interview with KIRO 7, said that no one from the school reached out to them after Arsema's death and accused the officials of leaving the family to 'fend for themselves.' After the incident, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones released the following statement: "My heart is heavy with sorrow as we face the devastating loss of a Washington Middle School student. I am deeply saddened by this tragedy, and my thoughts and condolences are with the student's family, friends and the entire Washington community during this incredibly difficult time.' On Tuesday, Seattle Public Schools chief of staff Bev Redmond contacted KIRO 7, assuring reporters that the district planned to meet with the family "as early as possible this week," and insisted that it was "committed to supporting this family." Arsema's funeral is planned for Sunday, March 16. A GoFundMe has been established for the family by parents of other students attending the middle school. "To support [Arsema's] grieving family during this difficult time, parents are collecting donations big and small to support them through this horrible loss and cover funeral expenses," a message on the GoFundMe states. The fundraiser has already collected $43,000 of its $45,000 goal.
