Friends, family, and religion are the three most important things to senior Andrew Bortey. Having a very supportive family, loyalty to his faith, and enjoying being active have always stuck with him. Not many know how important the little things are to Bortey, and those are what he has learned to prioritize as he’s gotten older.

Bortey grew up going to church; having a strong belief in his religion shaped him into the person he is today. Due to his religious background, Bortey pursues everyday as a gift and performs to the best of his ability.

“I am a really religious person. I go to church every Sunday and never miss a service. Since my aunt is a deaconess, religion is always present in our family. Religious gatherings bring my entire family together,” Bortey said.

For Andrew, having a social life is extremely important. Growing up with only one sister, he really cares about spending time with others, whether it be going to get ice cream or having a “bros” night in a friend’s basements. Senior and close friend Wil Shemroske loves the guy time he spends with Bortey and all of their friends.

“Andrew is definitely a character. He is very amusing and entertaining when you are around him. When he’s not there, you can definitely tell because the energy is down. He’s one of my best friends, and I never get used to how out there he is,” Shemroske said.

Another of Bortey’s close friends, senior Lillie Robinson, can vouch for Andrew’s love of being around others. To her, Andrew is an impactful, fun, and overall happy kid who is of great importance in her life.

“He always asks how you are and is checking in on me everyday. He is so funny and outgoing, and it spreads in the room. Andrew is friends with everyone, so wherever you go, he brings a crowd with him,” Robinson said. “My favorite part about him is how genuine he is. He won’t ever encourage you in a bad way and is a really good listener.”

One side of Bortey that is beneath the surface is his background. His entire family was born and raised in Ghana, resulting in his culture playing an important role in how he was raised.

“My family immigrated here from Ghana. Even though I was born here, our traditions have carried on in America. Specifically, the customs and traditions that we are expected to follow. For example, it is preferred to marry someone who is from Ghana, and carry on that legacy,” Bortey said. “Also little things like going against church rules or doing unlawful acts are things that trigger against what we believe in.”

Bortey’s last year at Niles West is one he wants to remember. He plans on continuing to put in work in the classroom and continuing to follow through with his beliefs both at West and beyond.