JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In less than five months, Lelise MeKinnon transformed from a transfer student that no one knew much about to a state qualifier for Park Hill.
The junior arrived in Kansas City in May from Burayu, Ethiopia and a conversation during summer school set the stage for her recruitment to the Trojans cross country team. On Saturday, she finished 133rd in the Class 4 race.
She came to the United States with her family looking for better opportunities and had a chance to reunite with a brother who was already stateside.
Despite not having a strong grasp of the English language, MeKinnon became a team leader for the Trojans this fall. Running has been something that helped her adjust to the changing culture.
“Our assistant principal contacted me about a girl in summer school that liked running and would like to get her involved,” Park Hill girls coach Krista Loughran said. “I had a kid in my English class last year (from there) and Lelise didn’t say much, so she translated that she wanted to be on the running team.”
Even then, the Trojans coach didn’t know much about the newcomer until they got to time trials.
“We found out we got something,” she said. “She had just run with the girls and then all of the sudden, it was like ‘oh, there she goes.’”
Her impact was evident throughout the season as she was the top runner in every race and earned all-conference honors in a very tough Suburban Conference Gold Division. She punched her ticket from district and sectional to reach state for the first time.
“She never complains, she just goes out and does it … she is tough,” teammate junior Abby Fette said of MeKinnon. “She surprised all of us. She wasn’t on our radar. It was a whole new thing to incorporate her and get her to understand what is going on. It has been fun to have her. It takes a lot to come from another country and try to fit in. She has done well running and she is quiet, very quiet, but she has learned a lot more English.”
MeKinnon was one of three runners for the Trojans at the sectional race in Liberty, joining Avery Blakley and Brooklyn Niebaum.
CODY THORN/Citizen photo
Park Hill’s Lelise MeKinnon, middle with headband on, competed in the Class 4 cross country state championships on Saturday, Nov. 3 in Jefferson City, Mo. The junior, who moved here in the spring from Ethiopia, took 133rd place.
Blakley, also a junior, spoke highly of MeKinnon’s impact.
“She is definitely an MVP for us,” Blakley said. “She brings up our school and is all-around a good person. She is very humble and a good asset for the team.”
MeKinnon’s teammates have helped her assimilate into the culture and many changes in her life. Her English has improved to the point she can ask for a ride from teammates.
She is still quiet, but with another student from Ethiopia in the school, it helps. At the sectional meet, when a media member asked to talk to her, Loughran helped translate what MeKinnon said, mostly ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.
She is quiet in the classroom too, according to teacher Chad Fette.
“Lelise is quiet, but she is a hard worker,” Chad Fette said. “She rarely speaks and seems to be more comfortable with just listening. It is still a bit difficult to learn a lot about her because she doesn’t like to speak very much, but I can tell you that she is very kind, likable and a determined student and athlete.”