Shareen Chahal

“I would love to be known as a friendly face on campus. Something that I worked on a lot in SDS was being not only their director, but also their friend. I tried to develop strong relationships with every single person in my cast. I try to take that into the Middle Eastern Student Association, choir, and just around campus in general,” Sonya Apsey (12) said.

“And now, a moment of silence.” 

Sonya Apsey’s (12) voice lingers in the now-hushed Zhang Athletic Center as students, teachers and administrators alike bow their heads in recognition of the casualties and violence of the Israel-Palestine war. Her eyes open and shift toward the crowd, the bleachers full of the classmates and friends she cares for. As she approaches the bleachers to take a seat, she takes in the aura of unity permeating the crowd, everyone united in reflection over the devastation that shook the world. Although each person is unique, Sonya strives to bring everyone together through the goal of strengthening humanity.

Since entering high school, Sonya dedicated much of her time outside of the classroom to promoting social change and building a safe, collaborative space for peers interested in sharing ideas and taking action. In her sophomore year, she founded the Middle Eastern Student Association to bring together students who strive to bring awareness of societal issues in the Middle East to the forefront of discussions at Harker.

“I’ve always been passionate about helping people find community at Harker and in their larger communities,” Sonya said. “I’ve been lucky enough to grow a big team over the past couple of years, and we’ve created a great impact, which is something I’m really proud of. We’ve all been working together to come about that in Harker and beyond.”

Sonya’s devotion to fostering a welcoming community manifests in the impact MESA brings around the world. Last year, she and her co-officers raised almost two thousand dollars for the earthquakes devastating Turkey and Syria, one initiative they took on alongside other supporters to help provide relief for people in need. Over the years, the team expanded into almost a dozen leaders connected by their shared goal of promoting change.

Even in the classroom, Sonya’s strong-willed determination shines through as she leads group work, encourages her peers and takes an unwavering stance in support of what she believes is right. English teacher Jennifer Siraganian taught Sonya in her sophomore and senior years and witnessed the development of her determination and trust in herself.

“She has a strong voice and a good sense of right versus wrong,” Siraganian said. “She has a good sense of connecting with other people, whether it’s her peers or teachers, and I think I would encourage her to keep that up in college, because using her voice will do just wonders.”

Beyond the activism scene, Sonya also involves herself in performing arts, a pastime that once again connects her with a community that brings her comfort and joy. Since lower school, Sonya took part in various performance groups, from choir to musical theater to even directing her own show through Student Directed Showcase in her senior year.

“The performing arts community has been so rewarding,” Sonya said. “The performance day energy is something that can’t be replicated anywhere else. When you’re backstage in the theater, I feel like that’s such great energy. That’s something I feel is so special to all performers, including me.”

Throughout her journey in the arts, Sonya fostered tight relationships with others who share her passions. Co-SDS Director and close friend Isabella Ribeiro (12) admires the impact of Sonya’s positivity and leadership over the years, and she commends her approach towards creating a welcoming, comfortable environment for all.

“Sonya brings a breath of fresh air — she has a liveliness about her,” Isabella said. “She always brings such positive and comedic energy, and she always knows how to lighten the room with her witty jokes and amazing talent. She’s so dedicated to her craft, whether it’s acting or directing. She always puts so much dedication into that, and I think she’s such a great role model for other people.”

As Sonya furthered her experience in performing on stage, she particularly acknowledged her heightened confidence in her ability to relay her voice to the greater community. Now, she feels comfortable in her truth and strives to share her thoughts with those around her.

“I think performing arts has helped me have a lot more confidence in myself,” Sonya said. “At the beginning of freshman year, I was pretty shy and nervous. Being on stage starting in my sophomore year and putting myself out there for everyone to see was challenging for me at the time but pushed me to have such amazing growth and competence throughout the years.”

Kai Stinson (12), one of Sonya’s close friends, watched her personality grow over her high school years, noting how the communities she engages in provide her with methods of expressing herself and her ideas.

“Over time, I’ve definitely seen Sonya come out of her shell,” Kai said. “She really has grown into a confident, mature and caring person. Her confidence has definitely been reflected in what she does outside of the classroom, and I think that has come as a result of her growth over time and her confidence.”

From advocating for social change to bringing both tears and laughter to an audience, Sonya makes it her mission to be someone whom anyone can come up to for advice, comfort or a shoulder to lie on. Throughout her high school years, her amicable personality brought people together and weaved joyful energy into whatever situation she found herself in.

“I would love to be known as a friendly face on campus,” Sonya said. “Something that I worked on a lot in SDS was being not only their director, but also their friend. I tried to develop strong relationships with every single person in my cast. I try to take that into the Middle Eastern Student Association, choir and just around campus in general.”