Yaw Osafo Mensah

Yaw Osafo Mensah is a Junior at Teaneck High School and Bergen Community College through the dual enrollment program and will graduate with an Associates Degree. He is known for being stubbornly persistent, highly focused, funny, open-minded, and kind. These traits show up in both his personality and his work ethic.

The passing of his father at the age of eleven, moving back and forth between New Jersey and Kansas and the example of hard work and discipline demonstrated by his uncle has helped Yaw adapt to change, develop independence and deeply impact his outlook and maturity. With guidance from his uncle, over time Yaw came to a powerful realization that success requires self- belief and personal drive. He learned that he cannot wait for others to carry him forward, but that he must work hard, stay firm in pursuit of his goals, and believe in himself consistently.

Yaw enjoys creating music, rapping, engineering sound, and building his artistic abilities. He is especially proud of learning how to produce music and beats which is a skill he has and continues to develop on his own, without formal training. Yaw is passionate about his music and aspires to improve his skills and work towards a career in the music field. Outside of music, Yaw’s hobbies include sports, working out, and reading. He is a member of the Bergen County NAACP ACT-SO program where he won a Bronze Medal for an original Oratorical presentation. As a result of that performance, he has been nominated for the Governors Awards in Arts Education. Yaw is a member of the Teaneck High School Crew Team, Cross Country Track Team and Wrestling Team.