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On Tuesday, Jefferson Elementary welcomed back Diana-Melissa Ngoumape, a 2014 student and newly crowned Miss Africa USA 2025.
At age 12, Diana-Melissa moved to Warsaw from the Central African Republic after fleeing war in her home country. She entered Jefferson Elementary as a sixth-grader knowing no English. With the support of her teacher Angela Luecke, then-Principal David Robertson and many other staff members, she quickly began to learn and thrive, according to a news release from Warsaw Community Schools.
“They invested in me, and I just want to say thank you,” said Ngoumape. “I wanted to come back to Jefferson and give back. Warsaw really set the stage for who I am today.”
During her visit, Ngoumape read to students in classrooms and spoke to the entire student body in the gym. She shared her story and encouraged students to lead with kindness, gratitude and hope, which are the same values that shape her Miss Africa USA platform focused on education and kindness, stated the release.
Jefferson Principal Josh Wall said, “We were so honored to welcome Miss Africa Diana-Melissa Ngoumape back home to Jefferson. Her message of kindness, empathy, and compassion aligns perfectly with the values we strive to instill in our students each day.”
Ngoumape shared her visit to Jefferson was an important opportunity to thank those who supported her and to encourage students to keep learning, growing and believing in themselves.
