High School Award of Excellence &
Community Leadership Award
Recipient: Zainab Khodr
“Throughout the years of high-school I have become interested in the world of business, specifically, marketing. I enjoy writing poetry and sharing it on stage at an event or in an assignment. This interest in business has allowed me to partake in a Knight’s Den competition in which groups must present their business models to a panel of judges. My group was awarded 3rd place and received a monetary award. Also, a part of the Healthy Action Team at my school, a group that promotes mental and physical health. My role in this team has been to advertise and create videos to raise awareness. As a strong member of the team I was awarded Most Valuable Member award in Grade 11. I have overcome my fear of speaking in large audiences and spoken in front of over 2000 students, teachers and parents during an assembly as well as being featured on the video announcements played in the morning. Lastly, I am a part of a youth group, Nasryouth in which focuses on hosting charitable drives to help those in need in the Hamilton region. I have been the project manager of both a food and winter drive within the last two years. My ultimate goal is make a bigger impact on the community as a whole and be able to combine my passion for business and the community involvement.”
Holy Qur’an Award
Recipient: Mahmood Haddara
“I am a 16 year old student that goes to Westmount Secondary School and is part of the Westmount Sport Academy program. I have many interests, ranging from writing and public speaking to fitness and sports. I recently won a debate tournament, a tournament I also won in Grade 9, and I have also started a blog where I write about soccer. I hope to continue pursuing all of my interests, including writing and journalism, and eventually enter the field of law.”
Visual Arts Award
Recipient: Nabiha Aziz
“My name is Nabiha Aziz and I am currently a grade 10 student at Westmount Secondary School. I am working towards the completion of my high school diploma and hope to pursue a career in business studies. Throughout my high school career, I have been a part of many teams and clubs including cricket, orienteering, Model UN, SPLAT, and MSA. I thoroughly enjoy getting involved and participating in my school as much as possible. I have made the honours roll 3 years in a row and plan to continue to until grade 12.”
Best MSA Award &
Recipient: Raghad Azzam
“Westdale MSA is controlled by a president, two vice presidents, a secretary, an events coordinator and most importantly, general members. This year, Westdale MSA has held many events, mostly samosa sales. Our biggest events however , were a samosa and henna sale to raise money for Charity Week by Islamic Relief, with Mcmaster, a world fair to raise money for the Ronald MacDonald House, and a samosa sale and clothing drive for Syria. We are also in the process of hosting a year end picnic for the muslim youth in Hamilton.”
Journalism and Literature
Recipient: Mahmoud Haddara
“I am a 16 year old student that goes to Westmount Secondary School and is part of the Westmount Sport Academy program. I have many interests, ranging from writing and public speaking to fitness and sports. I recently won a debate tournament, a tournament I also won in Grade 9, and I have also started a blog where I write about soccer. I hope to continue pursuing all of my interests, including writing and journalism, and eventually enter the field of law.”
Scientific Innovation Award
Recipient: Samna Aziz
“My name is Samna Aziz, and I am a Grade 11 Advanced Placement Student at Westmount Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario. Meaningful academic and learning experiences have always been important to me, and I have always tried my best to push myself and produce my best work through both academic and non-academic settings.
Since I was younger, I have always had an inclination towards math, science, and visual arts. I have conducted independent research projects and presented my findings at the Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair (in Hamilton, Ontario) four times now. This year, I was honored to receive one of the 15 Best in Fair project awards, a gold merit, and have been given the opportunity to present my research and compete at the Canada Wide Science and Engineering Fair this year in Fredericton, New Brunswick. I conducted my research experiments at McMaster University through a student internship position I have held since October (2014.) (The basis of my project was on the redevelopment of the material bone cements are composed of, in order to provide an agent of stability to patients suffering from osteoporosis.) I had additionally taken this project to compete in the Sanofi BioGenius Canada competition this year at Waterloo University. The project placed in the top 10 within the Southwestern Ontario Region!
Currently, I have kept an average of 94% + in my academic courses at Westmount Secondary School, while keeping a part-time tutoring position at the Ancaster KUMON Math and Reading tutoring centre. I also try my best to get involved with charitable actions within school clubs and teams. I am currently co-president of Westmount’s SPLAT- Students Promoting Leadership Action Team. We are a group of students who plan and host charitable events/fundraisers in order to raise money for both local and global charities. An example of a fundraiser done last year was the Swing into Spring Carnival, where a group of students and I hosted and planned and event with games, food, snacks, and prizes for elementary school children in Flamborough (Ontario.) All of the proceeds went towards supporting refugees in Syria.
Additionally, I have been an active member of Wesmount’s Muslim Students Association. Asides from meetings, my main contribution towards the group would be during the two International Day events that take place every year. A friend and I had originally came up with the idea- where group members bring in food from different countries, sell small items, and set up Henna booths. I am one of the henna artists and create designs on nearly 50 hands (within a few hours!) The money raised is either donated or invested into the group’s fund to support competitions members attend.
During the summer, I also love volunteering at the Hamilton Mosque (helping out with food/water/date distribution during Ramadan.)
In terms of future goals, the two things I try to keep in mind are academic pursuits (within subjects I enjoy), as well as the work done having a meaningful and practical application (that will help another person.) For this reason, I have been inclined towards the Engineers without Borders Program that many Universities offer. I am currently planning to pursue either an Engineering or Architectural Sciences degree; however, I am still keeping my options open!
In terms of short term goals, I hope to receive a Silver Medal at the Canada Wide Science Fair and to finish the academic year with a 95%+ average. I also hope to continue my research at McMaster University throughout the summer, as well as working as a tutor and as a community volunteer.”
