Ottumwa High School senior, David Bossou, has learned that hard work is the path to success in life.
David’s family, including his parents and two brothers, left their home in Togo, Africa when he was 10 and came to the United States. “My dad wanted a better future for us,” he said. His father had worked as a pastor, missionary, tutor, radio disc jockey, and DJ. They had a comfortable life. “He came here for us. He didn’t need to come here.”
They moved to Ottumwa because one of his dad’s cousins knew a friend who lived here. He remembers getting off the plane in New York on Christmas. “I had all these clothes on and had to see if they worked.”
After the first month, his dad was hired at Cargill Meat Solutions. His father spoke limited English but David didn’t speak English. School was hard in the beginning. He remembers coming home from school crying because he had spent the entire day not knowing what anyone said. But through the district’s English Language Learner (ELL) program and the patience of his teachers, he learned English. By seventh grade, he no longer was part of the ELL program. He now speaks his native language, Ewe, as well as English and French.
He credits extra-curricular activities for helping him with language acquisition as well as making friends. He played soccer, basketball, sang in choir and was cast in a play at Evans. At OHS, he has been in Meistersingers, show choir and varsity track all four years. He competed at All State his freshman and sophomore years and made great friends through singing.
Faith is also a big part of his life. He is part of a band at church and sings most Sundays during the worship service.
His father, Kodjo Bossou, has high expectations for his son. David credits much of his success to his father’s work ethic. “He is behind us, pushing us to go forward.” After becoming fluent in English, his father not only worked full-time but became a full-time student. He now works at Good Samaritan as an LPN.
With aspirations to be a doctor, he plans to attend the University of Iowa after graduation. He is taking several classes that provide both high school and college credit and will graduate with 18 college credits.
His senior year goals include: going to state in the shuttle hurdles as part of the “B Squad,” including his brother Jonathon, Colton Burgess, and Jacob Blunt; having a successful year in show choir; and passing all his college courses. His advice to his peers – “Get involved and don’t be afraid of the upper classmen.”
