WESTBROOK — Tell Ranya Al Obaidi she can’t do something and she’ll prove you wrong 10 times over.

The Westbrook High School senior and newest student representative on the City Council approaches life head on and doesn’t sit back as things happen to her. She said she uses this mindset in everything she does.

“You have to jump in and doors will open,” she said. “If you stay shy you might not have as many opportunities.”

When she moved to Westbrook, and the U.S., from Iraq in her freshmen year, Al Obaidi didn’t speak any English. She was told by school advisors that she’d be in solely ELL (English language learners) classes all throughout high school and could maybe take one or two mainstream classes as a senior.

Al Obaidi, now 17, had other plans.

“I was like, ‘watch me get all mainstream classes,'” she said. “I know I’m better than that.”

By her sophomore year she was taking all mainstream classes except for English, and now as a senior she’s in a mainstream honors level English class. Her success has been driven by academic ambition as well as the desire, like all high school students, to fit in.

“I wanted to make friends,” she said. “No one would know me if I stayed (in ELL classes) for four years.”

Al Obaidi threw herself into everything she could, including clubs and sports teams. She’s a member of the Youth Leadership Coalition and the track team.

“I was way out of my comfort zone, but that’s how you get where you want to go,” she said.

Last year a teacher recommended she apply to be a student representative on the City Council. The program allows two students to participate, as non-voting members, in municipal government. Al Obaidi said she hadn’t heard of the  program prior to applying, but now enjoys her role on the council.

“I didn’t know about it, but now that I’m in it I feel stronger as a student and I can use my voice,” she said.

Al Obaidi’s voice was heard loud and clear at a recent council meeting when she spoke up on immigrant issues. On Sept. 11 she thanked councilors for working to create a workfare program that would help immigrants gain marketable job skills and for creating adult English classes.

“It makes me feel that you guys care about people even though they’re not Americans or they don’t speak English,” she said at the meeting. “At school when I first came in I wasn’t feeling like one of them. They didn’t make me feel accepted … and when I see you caring about immigrants I feel so happy.”

Councilor Victor Chau, who interviewed Al Obaidi for the position, said this week that her remarks made him think one thing: “And that’s the reason why you’re here.”

Student representatives update the council on school issues, but Chau said they bring a lot of value when offering insight into other issues facing the city. In addition to Al Obaidi, senior Maura Rielly also serves.

“For me personally, we love the feedback and insight of someone much younger,” Chau said. “They have different viewpoints than we do.”

Al Obaidi, daughter of Weeam Al Mashkoor and Ahmed Hamzah, said she felt inclined to speak up because the workfare program could greatly improve her family’s life.

“I had to thank (councilors) because my parents don’t speak English,” she said. “Sometimes people have skills, but they don’t have the language. You need a job, though.”

Al Obaidi thought she’d never be able to find a job in the U.S., but she has. She first worked at Burger King doing customer service and now works in retail where she interacts with people constantly.

“Trump says we’re taking American jobs, but we’re not,” she said. “We work as hard as any American citizen and we work hard to get what we want.”

Al Obaidi said she plans to continue speaking up on the council and not just being a passive member.

“I like to give my opinion and I don’t know if it’s right or wrong, but I want to share,” she said.

Mayor Mike Sanphy said this mindset shows that Al Obaidi was the right pick for a student representative position.

“I think she’s a good choice and her speaking up is great,” he said. “She came to this country and I think it’s important for her to be involved like this and be a part of the community.”

Al Obaidi said she’s pleased that she’s accomplished so much in her short time in the U.S. and that it’s been possible because she takes chances and works hard.

“Always do what you think you can’t,” she said.

Chau said he’s very impressed by Al Obaidi and her outlook on life.

“She has this fire about her,” he said. “Some people you can tell will set the world on fire and that no matter the odds, they’ll defy and overcome them. That’s Ranya.”

Al Obaidi said this energy informs every decision she makes. As she looks to her future, she hopes to attend the University of Southern Maine, but doesn’t have set goals for a career. She said she doesn’t like to stick herself in a box because it can be limiting.

“I always challenge myself, so I don’t know what’s going to happen in my future,” she said. “I always ask questions and look for new opportunities.”

Al Obaidi said her drive comes from wanting to make her parents proud and also from wanting to prove to the world what she’s capable of.

“I don’t like people to see me small,” she said. “I want them to see me big, and what I do might not be as big as other people, but it’s big for me.”

Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.

Westbrook High School senior Ranya Al Obaidi is the newest student representative on the City Council.