Elaine Ejigu

Author of, "Plus-Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change." Public Speaker and Activist.
https://www.amazon.com/Plus-Size-Memoir-Culture-Fatphobia-Social/dp/109839836X

Mekdela, née Elaine Mekdela Ejigu, was born in Pasadena, California. She graduated from SPHS with honors and was a member of the National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation. During her time at SPHS, she volunteered at Huntington Memorial Hospital.

Mekdela graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2014 with a BA in Legal Studies and Feminist Studies with honors. In 2015, she attended Southwestern Law School for around a year before deciding it was not the right career path for her. Shortly afterwards, she began organizing with her Ethiopian-American community in Los Angeles. She went on to organize for affordable housing and for immigrants' rights in Los Angeles.

Mekdela graduated from the University of Leeds with an MA in Social and Public Policy, with Merit, in 2018. While she studied at Leeds, she traveled England, the UK, and all over Europe. Following this, she returned to the US and continued her career professionally advocating for women, a career she began while in undergraduate college.

Marengo Elementary
South Pasadena Middle School

Duarte, CA
South Pasadena, CA
Altadena, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Leeds, England

My family moved to South Pasadena when I was in the sixth grade. But I went to school in South Pasadena since preschool. My Mom worked at the South Pasadena City Hall.

Teferri Michael Ejigu

Ritika Pandita, Megha Shalavadi

Flower Chain 2009, Prom 2009, Powder Puff 2010, Prom 2010, Graduation 2010

Oneonta Choir, Book Club, Dance Club, Invisible Children United, The Quidditch Club, Tiger Newspaper, Flower Chain, Powder Puff.

I loved being on the Tiger newspaper staff for all four years, which is where I found my voice as a staff writer. In Ms. Nielsen's AP Government class, I learned to stand up for what I believe in.

I played AYSO soccer until I was in middle school. I played the piano until I was in high school. I played the clarinet from the 5th grade to the 8th grade. I love reading, writing, listening to music, going for walks, and watching movies.

SZA, Ariana Grande

I love reading memoirs, young adult fiction, and science fiction

Favorite Movie: Muriel's Wedding (1994)

I recently watched The Notebook (2004) in 2024. I didn't know what all of the hype was about before. Now I can confirm that it is really a great film

I am leaving for college at UC Santa Cruz tomorrow. I am nervous and excited. In fact, I should be packing right now. - this was written when I first created this profile on September 10, 2010. I am keeping it here for memory's sake.

Thank you!