You’ve heard her on the announcements, watched her emcee the Pep Rally, and see her everyday in the halls. But how much do you really know about Senite Barih? Continue reading to learn more about her!

At Loyola, Senite participates in countless clubs and extracurricular activities: Diversity Club, African American Youth Group, LA Way, freshman-junior retreats, sophomore retreats, junior retreats, Kairos, Loyola Alliance, Medical Club, and Women Leaders of Loyola. She’s also represented the Ramblers at the Ignatian Family Teach In, held in Washington, D.C.

That’s only a few of her activities.

Outside of Loyola, her top priority is The People’s Music School, a non-profit organization that offers free musical education to teens. She also serves as a worship leader at Vineyard Christian Church of Evanston.

Overall, Senite says Kairos has impacted her the most. She went on the junior Kairos retreat last year. “I became a part of the Iconic Cottage Queens, my amazing small group,” she said.

While on Kairos, she “gained so much perspective, peace with [herself] and God, and made so many new best friends.”

Then, just last month, she led the co-ed senior Kairos. “I led the Holmies, also an amazing small group. I couldn’t be prouder of the most beautiful, kind-hearted girls.”

Megan McCall is one of the seniors that had the opportunity to be led by Senite. “I love Senite because she has continually been there for me and supported me since the day I met her,” she continued, “I know she will always be there for me and will always be someone I look up to.”

Through Kairos and her involvement in Campus Ministry, Senite has connected with numerous people. One specifically sticks out: Mrs. Gregg, head off Campus Ministry.

The People’s Music School has also greatly impacted her life. She explains it as “her whole life.” Adding that she’s just being inside the school motivates her, especially because music is a huge part of her life.

Senite’s daily schedule is jam packed with classes and activities. She explained each week, Monday through Wednesday, she wakes up at 6 A.M. and gets a ride to school from a friend. However, Thursdays and Fridays, she’s up at 4:30 A.M. to catch two busses and two trains to make it to Loyola Academy. Once at school, she’ll have a meeting with either the Medical Club, Loyola Alliance, or Women Leaders of Loyola. She’ll then make her way through her daily class schedule.

Throughout the day, you can find her meeting with teachers, at Diversity Club meetings, or student leadership workshops. Every Wednesday after school, Senite makes her way to African American Youth Group meetings. Every other day, however, she heads down to the People’s Music School. She generally finishes around 8 P.M., and takes the public transit home, ending her day around 9:30 P.M.

If Senite ever has a free day with unlimited resources, there’s a lot of things she’d love to do. Of course, she’d go shopping. She’d take a group of kids from Heartland Alliance, a refugee organization her father worked for, with her. “There are so many kids in Chicago with no resources, so sharing that with them would be cool,” she said.

She’d love to fly to Eritrea to meet her extended family, and donate a million dollars to the People’s Music School. “Lastly, I would give unlimited hugs, because who doesn’t want unlimited hugs?”

Next year, Senite says she hopes she’s making money. “I’m a first generation kid, so there’s a lot of pressure to do well and have my life together.”

She explains that she originally had planned on studying psychology and nursing, with a possible minor in biochemistry so she could become a genetic counselor. “But recently, I’ve been questioning my future. I want to be happy, and helping others makes me happy.”

Overall, her goal for next year is “to be good in college, live [her] best life, and avoid student debt because…ew.”

With Senite’s strong will to help others, and her hard work and dedication, she is clearly destined for success.