Interview by Emiliano Perez, Gainesville High School senior and Abernathy Cochran intern
Meet Esther Nwefo! She is a senior at Gainesville High School. Her parents are Claudette Nwefo and Jean-Marie Nwefo. Esther is the president of Troupe 2445 (a group of students dedicated to performing and producing theatrical productions who are part of the International Thespian Society) at Gainesville High School. Currently, she is in rehearsals for “Sister Act” where she will be playing the role of Deloris Van Cartier.
We want to thank Esther for spending time with us recently and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.
Question: Please tell us a bit about your family.
Answer: “I’m the youngest of four children. I have two older sisters and an older brother. My parents Claudette Nwefo and Jean-Marie Nwefo immigrated from Cameroon to allow my siblings to live the American dream and I was born here a few years after they came to America.”
Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
A: “I’m currently a student at Gainesville High School. I love being able to interact with so many different people because Gainesville is filled with people from different racial and cultural backgrounds.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “Some of my favorite restaurants are Cotto, Atlas Pizza, and Consuelo.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
A: “I’ve lived in Gainesville for 15 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you have met here in our community?
A: “Cathy Amos is definitely the most interesting person I’ve met here in Gainesville. I’m the president of Gainesville High School’s Theatre Troupe and she is a true patron of the arts. She comes to every single show, often coming on multiple nights. She doesn’t just watch the shows, she experiences them. She gives us, performers, feedback that pushes us to improve and grow. I’ll forever be grateful to her.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “If I could travel anywhere, I would want to go to New York. I want to go to an area that supports and facilitates the environment that I want to be a part of. In New York, people are so creative and there’s so many forms of arts that are present there that aren’t as prominent in Gainesville.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “My favorite TV show is The Flash and my favorite movie is anything Marvel related.”
Q: What advice would you want to give or leave with people
A: “It’s okay to say “no.” Life holds so many opportunities so saying “no” to one thing doesn’t close the door to everything. It’s important to balance reaching your expectations and your mental health.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “The Gainesville West Chick-fil-A makes me most nostalgic about our community because I’ve had such good experiences and meaningful conversations in that establishment. The gatherings I’ve had there remind me of why I’m so grateful for the community I’m a part of.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet them for this lunch?
A: “I would love to have lunch with Amber Riley because she’s one of my favorite vocalists. She has a very welcoming personality that I would love to experience. I would love to meet her for lunch at Atlas Pizza.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community and secondly what is something you hope our community has or does in the future?
A: “I honestly love how diverse Gainesville is. We truly are a melting pot of different cultures. Whether it is by race, gender, finances, or religion, we as a community share many different backgrounds, making it very interesting to learn from others. In the future, I hope Gainesville has more events that celebrate our differences, but still unites us as whole.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
A: “I hope to see myself doing some sort of management position at a firm, perhaps in human resources. I also hope to be pursuing music in some form, hopefully in the form of musical theatre.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I would love to book a Broadway show. THAT would be the dream.”
Q: What is something you have been proud to check off your bucket list?
A: “I’m so proud that I was able to get a lead role in my high school production. If you would’ve asked me freshman year if I saw myself getting the lead, I would’ve told you “No.” Confidently. It’s so amazing to see the growth I’ve had and the challenges I’ve overcome to become the performer I am today.”
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: “While they’re not a band, my go to artist would have to be SZA. R&B is one of my favorite genres of music, so SZA for sure.”
Q: In hard times we can sometimes see and recognize greatness in those around us. Hard working. Positive attitudes. Helping on the front lines. Who is one of our local shining lights today?
A: “Mr. Ed at the Gainesville West Chick-fil-A is definitely a shining light in my eyes. He is always so kind and caring with people and goes the extra mile to make the Chick-fil-A experience A-1.”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: “I went to this one beach and Miami and the only word to describe it was serene. The water was such an oceanic blue and the sound of the waves crashing back and forth was so relaxing.”
Q: Favorite month? Favorite Holiday? And the best single day on the calendar?
A: “My favorite month is September. My favorite holiday is Christmas. The best single day on the calendar is September 9.”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A: “I would rate berries and cream a 10 out of 10.”
Q: Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
A: “Keke Palmer.”
Q: What is one of two of your favorite smells?
A: “The smell of freshly cut lemongrass.”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: “My best friends inspire me to be better. They’re always so encouraging and help me through difficult times. I wouldn’t be the person I am and where I am today without them. Because of them, I take more risks and allow myself to aspire for things I normally wouldn’t. I couldn’t be more grateful for them.”
