Immediately following the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, a few of her fellow middle school students told Afsi Siahloohi she should “go back where you came from.”
That would not have been hard to do.
Like most of her classmates, she was born and raised in eastern Kentucky. On a farm at Spout Springs, to be exact.
Her father, Karim, is a native of Iran, and her mother, Kimberly, was born and reared in the Kentucky hill country.
“Growing up, I always knew I looked different, but I never thought I was different. The words of a few of my classmates brought a whole new perspective,” she said, while sitting behind a desk in her spacious office on the Eastern Kentucky University campus.
It was an eye-opening experience that, coupled with the support of a loving family and outstanding teachers, has helped her advance to a unique position.
Siahloohi is the student body president of E.K.U., where she will graduate in May with a degree in public relations.
The confidence and ability to lead a 16,000-student university were gained in a much smaller academic setting, the now-closed Hargett Elementary, where she spent her first four years of formal schooling.
“I loved Hargett,” she exclaims, noting an instructor at that school had a major influence on her life.
“She didn’t settle for the status quo, always pushing me to do more and realize my potential ... that I could do things,” Siahloohi said.
She also credits her mom, an English teacher at EKU the past eight years, for providing guidance.
“I’ve been lucky to have a mom like her. She has always said that if you’re going to do a job, do it right or not at all,” she said.
By the time she had reached Estill County High School, Siahloohi was doing enough things right to earn a position in student government, serving as class secretary for four straight years.
She also was a member of 10 other organizations, including the school’s first-ever soccer team, which was coached by her father.
Her stellar play led to two straight seasons of being named All-District.
Siahloohi’s preparation for life has extended well beyond the classroom.
She has traveled with her father to his native home, seeing first-hand the impoverished, but lush and beautiful, surroundings.
“When I see what he came from, it makes me realize how spoiled I am,” she said. “He lived in a shack and had to study using an oil lamp, then had to be willing to leave his family to get an education.”
She regrets never having been able to meet her late Iranian grandmother and notes she was struck by the lone photo (Siahloohi as a baby) hanging on a wall inside her home.
Because she has dual citizenship, Siahloohi was allowed to vote in the presidential election in Iran while there last year.
Her travels also include a trip to Ireland and England during winter break this year.
Back home, she has been well-schooled in some of life’s basic skills, thanks to her extended family on Hudson Mill Road, a scenic area where she says she loves taking walks in the fall.
Besides the Siahloohis, the road is home to her grandparents.
From her grandfather, who she says can raise potatoes that are “so delicious you don’t have to put anything on them,” she has obtained an appreciation for gardening and healthy eating.
“There’s nothing better than fresh food directly from the garden,” she said.
Besides knowing how to raise a garden, she can sew — “if I have to” — rotate her tires and change the oil in her vehicle.
“I feel like everyone should know the basics in life,” said the former youth league soccer coach, who grew up attending Salem Baptist Church.
She even picked up surveying skills while accompanying her dad, a civil engineer, to work.
Originally a broadcast major, the self-described “people person” said she knew she wanted to seek the office of class president from the first day she stepped onto campus and met the then current leader.
Using her mom’s office as her campaign headquarters, she ran with the slogan, “I give hugs, not handshakes,” and the election drew a record number of voters.
The paid position requires the president to devote a minimum of 20 hours, but she estimates she puts in 60 to 80, a dedication that has helped her fulfill most of her goals.
In addition to her studies and office duties, she also serves as a campaign manager for Jared Carpenter, candidate for the state senate.
When she graduates in May, Siahloohi hopes to work in education or politics.
And where would this world traveler like to serve in either of these capacities?
“We’ve had some great elected officials in my home county, and maybe one day my name can be added to that list,” she said, noting a particular interest in serving as county judge/executive.
“I have always wanted my parents along, no matter what I was doing. Family is forever, and I don’t ever want to move away,” she said. “I feel it’s my duty to go back to where I came from.”
EKU News
EKU student president making plans to go back where she came from
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EKU professor authors ‘Great Civil War Stories of Kentucky’
A century and a half after the first shots of the Civil War were fired, Dr. Marshall Myers, professor of English at Eastern Kentucky University, reminds readers of the harsh realities of war, and how it affected soldiers and civilians alike in his new book, “Great Civil War Stories of Kentucky.”
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Presidential debate delegation visits EKU
A three-member delegation of the Commission on Presidential Debates visited Eastern Kentucky University on Thursday.
EKU, which submitted a bid earlier this year to host a debate, is one of 12 colleges and universities nationwide competing to host four debates in 2012 — three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate. It is expected that the site selections will be announced this fall. -
EKU co-op program first in state to earn accreditation
Eastern Kentucky University’s Cooperative Education Program has become the first co-op program in the Commonwealth and only the 12th nationally to receive accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Cooperative Education.
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A chance for grads and bands to reunite
Eastern Kentucky University alumni and friends are invited to visit the campus April 29 through May 1 when EKU hosts its annual Alumni Weekend, highlighted this year by performances from former members of bands that played at Speck’s, the legendary nightspot previously in downtown Richmond.
Friday, April 29 will offer an evening of live music from the Speck’s bands, including former members of “The Maroons” and “The Exiles,” from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Perkins Building.The cost of $22 includes beverages, appetizers, the live music and dancing. -
EKU tuition, meals on the rise, again
Eastern Kentucky Univer-sity expects the state’s Council on Post-secondary Education to allow regional universities to raise in-state tuition by 5 percent for the coming academic year, according to EKU President Doug Whitlock.
On Monday, the EKU regents voted to take the maximum the council will allow and delegated its academic affairs committee to impose the increase after the council’s Thursday meeting. -
Spring fling
Morgan Jolly, Miss Kentucky Teen 2011, and an Eastern Kentucky University freshman education major from Versailles, prepares to pop bubbles Monday with Sanjay Blevins, a special education student at Model Laboratory School. Jolly and about 19 others who reside in EKU’s education majors’ Living and Learning Community and 14 Model special-ed students enjoyed an hour of fun at the college students’ invitation. Such events outside of their school setting helps special-needs children developmentally, said Jolly, who planned the event with roommate Amanda Hubler.
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California Schemin’
Amanda West, from left, Micah Daniel Bennett, Alyssa Will, Marshall Manley and Whitlie Rose rehearse a scene from Eastern Kentucky University Theatre’s production of “California Schemin’” Performances continue tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Gifford Theatre of the Jane F. Campbell Building. To reserve or purchase tickets, students and senior citizens are $5 and adults are $6, call the box office at 622-1323.
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EKU to host Science, engineering fair
Eastern Kentucky University will host the 9th annual Kentucky Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday at Alumni Coliseum. This is the state fair in which middle school and high school students from throughout the Commonwealth will be participating.
The event will feature the research of more than 215 students who have advanced through local and regional competitions across the state. They will be competing for ribbons, trophies, scholarships and special awards from corporations and various organizations.
The high school students who are selected as the Best of Fair will be a member of Team Kentucky that will represent the state at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles in May.
The public can view the student’s work from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday inside Alumni Coliseum on EKU’s campus. The awards ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in Brock Auditorium in the Coates Building. -
‘Brain Rules’ author to speak at EKU
John Medina, author of the New York Times bestseller “Brain Rules,” will present a public lecture Tuesday, March 29 at Eastern Kentucky University.
His talk, “Brain Rules for Teaching,” will begin at 6 p.m. in Walnut Hall of the Keen Johnson Building. There will be a question-and-answer period following the session. -
Environmental ‘Hero’ to speak at EKU
Graciela Chichilnisky, recognized by Time Magazine in 2009 as one of the “Heroes of the Environment,” will speak at Eastern Kentucky University Thursday, March 31.
Her presentation titled “Avoiding Extinction” will begin at 7:30 p.m. in O’Donnell Hall of the Student Success Building. It is part of the University’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series and serves as the sixth-annual Distinguished Lecture in International Studies and keynote address for Women’s History Month. The event is free and open to the public. - More EKU News Headlines
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EKU professor authors ‘Great Civil War Stories of Kentucky’
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