Driven by a passion for science and service, Deqa Ahmed is ready to take her next steps toward a future in healthcare. “After high school, I plan to attend the University of Virginia to study neuroscience on a pre-dental track,” she shared. “After doing a neuroscience research summer camp at the University of Minnesota, I decided to continue studying neuroscience while working towards my dreams of being a dentist.”
Throughout her years at Fridley High School, Deqa found joy in celebrating the diversity of her school community. “My favorite part of high school has definitely been Culture Day. It’s so beautiful to see all of the different cultures that make up Fridley Public Schools,” she says. “As an upperclassman, I even started to be a part of the Culture Show as a dancer in the Somali Dance Team and by walking in the fashion show to show my Somali Cultural Attire!”
Deqa is an exceptional student who has made a lasting impact at Fridley High School through her academic excellence, leadership, and initiative,” said Director of Administrative Services and Board Secretary Lori Andler. “She is one of only four full IB Diploma Programme candidates in the Class of 2025, all while maintaining a strong GPA and participating in AVID, choir, Key Club, Minnesota Honor Society, and golf. She founded the FHS chapter of HOSA, creating a new space for students interested in health careers. Deqa also served as a Student School Board Representative for two years, where she learned how to advocate for herself and others. She helped establish a process for appointing future student representatives—ensuring student voice remains central in district leadership moving forward.”
Deqa is proud of the legacy she’s leaving behind at FHS. “The accomplishment during high school that I’m most proud of was successfully starting up my HOSA–Future Health Professionals Chapter,” she says. “Doing this brought so many opportunities for my peers to get involved in the medical field while in high school.” Her leadership extended beyond the classroom: “It also led to me getting involved in other areas at FHS like becoming the Junior+Senior School Board Class Representative and a Lieutenant Governor for the Minnesota-Dakotas District of Key Club International!”
As a Full Diploma IB student, Deqa leaned on the encouragement of her siblings. “During my high school journey, my greatest inspirations were my older sisters Iman and Nashat Ahmed. Both of them were Full DP/IB Scholars, so they both influenced me to stick it through the hard workload that Full DP students have. When I got overwhelmed and felt like dropping the program, they would always be the first to encourage me to not quit.”
To those just starting their high school journey, she offers this advice: “Stay committed to your goals and do not count yourself out. As long as you work hard, everything will come together eventually.”
And as she looks back, it’s the people who made all the difference. “Something I will miss about high school is the people by far. High school definitely had its tough times but getting to joke around in class with my classmates, and stressing to cram before a big test with them made it manageable.”
We are proud of Deqa and all of her accomplishments, and we are excited to see the many ways she’ll continue to lead and succeed!