Hoover High School celebrates Sudanese refugee and hijabi homecoming queen

When sophomore Arafa Adam heard her name announced at Hoover High School’s homecoming pep rally, she froze.

  • “I just thought I wasn’t really known like that,” Adam tells Axios.

Why it matters: Adam was named her year’s homecoming queen in September — a major moment for the Sudanese refugee who moved to Des Moines just four years ago and a moment she hopes inspires other girls who wear a hijab.

How it started: It wasn’t long ago that Adam was the new girl trying to find her place.

  • Her family, who lived in Sudan, fled conflict and…

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