Kate Abdel-Fatah followed both of her brothers to Johnson State College, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t made a name for herself on campus. With a lot of personal growth, new passions and important life experiences, Abdel-Fatah has become a leader in the Student Government Association and a strong competitor on the women’s cross country team. Recently, Basement Medicine had the opportunity to sit down with Abdel-Fatah to learn a bit more about her.

Who has been a big influence in your life?
I guess my elementary school teachers have been influential. They inspired me to go into elementary education. Two teachers that influenced me were Linda Clarke who was my second-grade teacher and Mr. Cooch who was my sixth-grade teacher. They helped me realize I wanted to be a teacher. And then I got to college, and junior year second semester comes around, and I realized I didn’t want to do that anymore. Anyways, they helped me realize that I want to help children in need. And I guess my parents. The classic cliché. My mom is a single mom who’s working, and she raised three kids. And my Dad was doing his thing and helping us out when he can.

What is the first thing you would do if you knew the world would end tomorrow?
I would have to go to Europe, and I would have to travel and get a bunch of cats. Well, I would get a private jet, fill it with cats and go.

Why Europe?
I’ve always wanted to go. I’ve never been.

Anywhere in particular?
Italy. I was obsessed with Italy when I was a child. The obsession was increased by “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” movie. Oh, and when Mary-Kate and Ashley did the “When in Rome” movie I was like I have to go. Oh, and the “Lizzie McGuire Movie.” My idols all traveled to Italy, so I want to, too.

Where is the best place that you have traveled to?
Definitely the Middle East. I have family in Jordan and Qatar. I’ve been to Jordan three times, and I’ve been to Qatar once. That is all pretty cool because it’s a whole other world over there.

What’s your favorite part of traveling to the Middle East?
The airplane food.

Really? Is it different than the airplane food you would get here?
I don’t know if it’s the airline we take. We usually take Air Jordanian or something like that. They actually serve you legit Middle Eastern food on the plane. It’s good. And you get your own T.V. They make the food specific to where they’re going. Or maybe I just get a special meal plan on the plane.

What’s one quality about yourself you like the least?
I get really loud when I’m excited, or I’m just talking, or anything. I just get loud, and I don’t need to get that loud.

What’s one quality about yourself you like the most?
I’m pretty outgoing. I’m not afraid to speak my mind, and be pretty upfront with people. I’ll tell people that they’re pissing me off.

Has that ever caused any problems?
Well, yeah. In high school, of course, but that’s because girls are sensitive, but in college, though, we are all adults. I [would] rather express my feelings and tell people that they upset me rather than talk mad shit behind backs and have it be awkward. Why can’t we just resolve it?

What is the worst thing anyone ever said to you?
Oh boy. Let’s see. It’s not funny, but, okay, I have a lot of these. A woman at my farm stand asked me how long I had been visiting after hearing my last name. Someone asked me if I was like a part of the 9/11 thing and other dumb things.

What is the best thing anyone ever said to you?
That they love my laugh.

What is one quality you despise in others?
Racism. Not being open minded and not having open-mindedness about other cultures. And refusing to view something from a new perspective and opening up. Even if people don’t agree with others, they should try to understand their opinions and see that they’re valid.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Okay, so I want to be a talk show host.

Why?
I don’t know. People have always said I’d be a good talk show host and I think it’d be fun to pursue it. Or I would want to be a children’s author.

What would you want to write books about?
I think there’s not enough books for children about diversity and human rights and stuff like that. I would want to get children more aware of political stuff and different types of families and different parts of the world.

Now if you had a talk show, who would you bring on as celebrity guests?
Morgan Freeman! Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, Hilary Duff. People will hate me for saying this, but the Kardashians. I like the Kardashians even though other people don’t. There are so many celebrities that I’m obsessed with.

What’s on the top of your bucket list?
Just to travel more. Not necessarily just to Europe, but even around the United States. I’d love to go out west to California or Colorado.

What is one issue you will always speak up and fight for?
Civil rights. That’s an issue that always needs to be brought to the table. Whether it’s in my education classes or with friends. I think it’s an issue that always needs to be talked about.

What got you interested and passionate about certain issues like civil rights?
In high school, I didn’t really care as much about politics because it wasn’t around me as much, but when I got to Johnson, I became more knowledgeable about the subject. Having friends like you [Mary Fafard] and Shavonna kept me educated, and I learned more and more. That really opened my eyes. What really did it was hearing other people’s experiences. Realizing that this didn’t just happen to me, and what people have said to me in the past is wrong, and that it’s not a reflection on me but a reflection of their character. Hearing other people’s stories, especially from the news, made me ask why all of this is happening when it’s 2017.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?
Everyday something happens to me that’s embarrassing. During a high school assembly, in front of everybody, like the whole school, parents, faculty and staff. My prom date gets up and makes an announcement. “Thank you, Kate Abdel-Fatah, for the best prom night ever.” In front of everyone and implying that we had had sex. We did not do that. Then, he handed me a plastic fork. Little sophomore Kate was like, “I gotta go.” Yeah, that was it, but it was horrible. I still have the fork because it’s a good story.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Anything salty. I love chips, like oh, my goodness, chips and dip all day long.

What are you binging on Netflix right now?
I just finished “Shameless,” but I’m currently watching “Grace and Frankie.” It’s freakin’ hilarious, and everyone needs to watch it, like yesterday. It’s one of those Netflix originals, so you know it’s good.

What do you do at the end of a stressful or busy day?
I go to the gym and run. I’m a runner even though it is painful, but it is a good stress reliever, and it makes me cry at times, but it is good.

If you could change one thing at JSC what would it be?
I want to be acknowledged as adults. They need to allow us to do more things. When we come to college, we are 18, but honestly, they need to trust us more. Some areas are lacking in that department.

What would you think of having a bar on campus?
Yes! That’s what I’m talking about! We could have a Johnson brew from some of the local breweries. That would be cool.