The man, the myth, the legend: Jerry Isham-Ndiaye, ‘27. A junior at WHHS, Jerry Isham-Ndiaye’s smiling face is a frequent and welcome occurrence. His positive attitude makes every day brighter. But what, exactly, makes him so iconic, and how did he reach a place of such high esteem?
Jerry Isham-Ndiaye, for those who don’t know him, is a school celebrity with a booming voice and love for classy fashion. He can be seen everywhere around the school, namely as a result of his participation in more than ten extracurricular activities, ranging from archery to German club. Recently, Jerry Isham-Ndiaye started leading prayers for Muslim Student Association (MSA), another club he frequents.
“I didn’t know that MSA existed until the middle of last year, and so then I joined MSA and I led one of the prayers in March and then another one two or three weeks ago,” Jerry Isham-Ndiaye said.
Jerry Isham-Ndiaye practices Islam and considers his religion a part of his culture, a culture that holds great importance to him. His mother came to the United States from Senegal with her uncle, a diplomat, and there she met his father. Jerry Isham-Ndiaye had the opportunity to visit Senegal in 2015, visiting the capital, Dakar.
“In the city, it was basically like living in America,” Jerry Isham-Ndiaye said. “My mother, she came as a diplomat, and so we were visiting her family in the city, [and] they were very, very nice. Everything was similar, but in the countryside, there were more animals, of course.”
In addition to his abundance of extracurriculars and various hobbies, such as history-themed video games and military strategy, Jerry Isham-Ndiaye also enjoys dressing up in suits every Friday, an occasion he has named “Fancy Friday.” This unique occurrence has caught the eye of many unaccustomed to such elegance, including teachers such as Jeremiah Riordan, who now participates as well.
“I started official Fancy Fridays with Mr. Riordan this year, but the year before, [in] 10th grade, I would wear suits just for fun,” Jerry Isham-Ndiaye said.
Not only do Jerry Isham-Ndiaye’s outfits catch the eyes of his peers and teachers, but his bubbly and cheerful personality does as well. Julie Vernon, English teacher, has noticed this exceptional characteristic, especially because she has taught him for the past two years.
“You could say that he is like someone that you’d want to carry around in your pocket because then [you] can just take him out when you need a smile,” Vernon said. “He is that person.”
Jerry Isham-Ndiaye leaves a lasting impression, one that causes an impact even when he is not in the room. His sister, who is three years younger, has had some of his teachers and notes the positive reception she receives.
“All of my teachers have had my brother, or they know of him,” Aishatu Isham-Ndiaye said. “So, they’re pretty cool with me from the start of the school year, [and] I don’t have to warm up to them. It’s automatic, we get along.”
Despite his plethora of extracurriculars and a decorated list of advanced classes, Jerry Isham-Ndiaye still finds time to greet everyone with a smile to light up their day.
“Jerry’s not shy, and so his ability to meet people, remember names, [and] connect is something that is unusual for students who are usually trying to figure out who they are,” Vernon said. “Jerry seems to know what gifts he brings to the world.”
Beyond the humor and vitality he brings, Jerry Isham-Ndiaye’s inquisitive nature is a standout feature in classrooms.
“Some of his questions are outlandish and not related, but they’re always interesting, Brian Meeron, his teacher and his coach on Academic Quiz Team, said. “Jerry [has an] ability to just separate from whatever’s going on and just notice things.”
In addition to his often bizarre yet insightful questions, Jerry Isham-Ndiaye keeps everyone on their toes.
“You always have to anticipate: where’s Jerry going to take this? Where’s he going to go with this? What’s Jerry thinking right now?” Meeron said.
Whether it be through his bubbly personality or bright smile that can illuminate even the darkest of rooms, Jerry Isham-Ndiaye has perfected the art of bringing joy wherever he goes. These qualities define how he moves through the world.
“You never know what you’re going to get with Jerry,” Vernon said. “He’s going to ask questions, he’s going to get to know students in the classroom…. It’s always an adventure with Jerry.”
