The Post: Manasseh Nyirongo

The+Post%3A+Manasseh+Nyirongo

Sophie Bates

Emily Levitt, staff writer
February 17, 2017

Between succeeding in four Advanced Placement classes to fostering his interest in computer science, senior Manasseh Nyirongo is a go-getter. He sat down with staff writer Emily Levitt to discuss his future prospects in engineering and current entertainment favorites.

Reading: I’m currently reading “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau. It’s kind of weird seeing his thoughts. I also like “The Things They Carried.” It’s about a Vietnamese solider and how he was forced to go to war against his own will. He decided to fight in the war, and he learned a lot of lessons, which was really interesting.

Listening: When it comes to music, I listen to everything. I’ll literally listen to the weirdest music ever. It just depends on how I’m feeling that day. I like the The Weeknd, Chance the Rapper, Roy Woods, Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley and Lucky Dube.

Watching: “The Walking Dead” lost a lot of characters this year, but it’s getting really good. Daryl is my favorite character. He’s this cool motor cycle dude who’s kind of unethical. I also like how the characters all stay together, competing against other people for their survival even though the outcome isn’t as likely.

Engineering: I’m interested in electrical engineering and mixing it with architecture so I can start projects, like making better roads, especially in third world countries. That’s something that I really want to do and get an early start on. I was raised in a third world country (Zambia), so if I could do something to make people’s lives easier then that would be pretty cool.

Defying: I feel like there are a lot of causes behind (the lack of) minorities in Advanced Placement classes. For one thing, parental advocacy. It also has to do with personal motivation, like if families are struggling on the side, you can’t really give 100 percent of your focus to school. There’s also the role model factor. I mean now, it’s better than it was before but back then, you didn’t really have as many role models to look up to as a minority. But seeing more and more minorities these days make it – I feel like that looks better for the future.