In her middle school social studies class, 14-year-old Eniola Taiwo was learning about historical figures and monuments that honor them across the country.
As a homework assignment, her class was asked if they could honor anyone; Who would it be, and where?
After seeing the LA wildfires all over the news, Taiwo decided she wanted to honor the brave firefighters risking their lives, but she wanted to do this for real, and not just in a homework assignment.
So, Taiwo wrote a letter to the CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Steve Nissen, explaining why she believed there should be a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for the firefighters who put their lives on the line to keep the city and people safe.
Ultimately, the Walk of Fame committee agreed. Taiwo was invited to the ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard, where she got to ride in an old-fashioned fire truck, hold the star, talk to the press and witness the monumental moment. She told Kelly Clarkson, “In my head I was thinking, is this what celebrities go through?”
Being from Connecticut, the wildfires didn’t affect Taiwo, but she said she wanted to make sure these firefighters know that even from across the country, what they do is appreciated.
“I’m proud of myself for being able to do something this big and to be able to recognize the firefighters for what they do,” she said.
