Ahmed Kamal El Dien
High school senior at Al Sanawbar School (Year 13)
Ahmed Kamal is a high school senior at Al Sanawbar Private School in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. He is a hard-working and dedicated student, a talented athlete, and a dedicated member of his community. He is also a passionate advocate for honesty and transparency.
Ahmed has been involved in many extracurricular activities throughout his high school career. He is the President of the SRSC, has played on the school's football team, and has participated in many community service trips. Outside of school, he enjoys playing football and MMA.
Ahmed is a well-rounded and accomplished individual. He is sure to achieve great things in the future.
Carla Matar
High school junior at Al Sanawbar School (Year 12)
Carla Mattar, born in the UAE on October 15, 2007, cherishes her family's support as the eldest daughter. Known for her unique blend of creativity and athleticism, Carla's life journey emphasizes the crucial role of failure in achieving success.
From a young age, Carla excelled in crafting intricate creations and various sports, such as basketball, swimming, gymnastics, and Jiu-Jitsu. Yet, it was her profound passion for Taekwondo that truly defined her.
Taekwondo became her way of life, teaching her valuable lessons in discipline and perseverance. She viewed failure as a stepping stone to progress, not a setback. Carla's mission is to inspire others to embrace failure as a vital part of the path to greatness, especially for those who, like her, have faced setbacks before.
Dalia Fayad
High School Senior at Al Sanawbar School (Year 13)
Dalia Fayad, born in Lebanon, is the youngest of three siblings. Raised in the UAE, she developed a passion for sports early on. Despite her athletic background, Dalia noticed a shift in her habits and self-perception upon moving to the UAE.
Her formative years in the UAE subtly altered her lifestyle, leading to a perceived sense of lethargy and insecurity regarding her physical appearance, despite her continued involvement in sports. This realization prompted her to contemplate the impact of her daily routines on both her self-image and overall well-being.
Dalia's journey uncovered the significant role that seemingly mundane habits played in shaping her mindset and health. She identified choices like opting for the elevator over the stairs as influential factors affecting her lifestyle. This introspective awareness fueled her determination to break free from habits hindering her well-being and to reshape her relationship with health and self-perception.
Layan Dayoub
High School Junior at Al Sanawbar School (Year 12)
Layan Dayoub, the eldest of her two siblings, was born in the UAE. She is a girl who favors learning new things. During her early years, she traveled a lot, saw many different sights, and gained fresh perspectives of life. She further started to enjoy sports and eating habits at the time. She grew up engaging in a range of sports, including tennis, volleyball and basketball, which was her all-time favorite. Becoming successful has always been her dream. She likewise shows an unstoppable will to succeed in life. Layan is well known for pursuing her goals in spite of all the obstacles she faced. She constantly puts her all into everything, understanding that the key to success is perseverance. Layan's path has been an adventure of learning, growth, and self-discovery along with acquiring fresh ideas and perspectives.
Lidya Kasem
Speech-Language Pathology Third-year Undergraduate Student at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (UAEU)
Lidya Kasem is a Neuro Leader passionate about exploring the
neural basis of leadership insights. She believes that true leaders inspire others to think, act, and communicate with purpose and belonging, without external incentives.
Lidya's interdisciplinary approach to neuroscience and leadership motivates youth to become the change they want to see in the world, for the good of everyone. She believes that understanding the neuroscience of leadership can catalyze more effective interventions that lead to a more powerful, productive, and healthier society.
Mohammed Al Kuwaiti
High School Senior at Al Sanawbar School (Year 13)
Mohammed Saif Al Kuwaiti, born and raised in the dynamic city of Al Ain, is an adventurer at heart. His love for travel has taken him across 18 countries, each journey adding a new chapter to his life's adventure. Passionate about cyber security, Mohammed's pursuit of knowledge led him to Quinnipiac University in the US for an intensive two-week course. His dedication extends beyond academics; he has contributed an impressive 200 hours towards community service. An avid sports enthusiast, Mohammed keeps himself fit and agile, a testament to his discipline and determination. Despite a packed schedule filled with diverse hobbies, Mohammed always finds joy in every moment. With a future full of ambition, he is on a relentless pursuit to achieve his goals. Mohammed's story is one of passion, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Shahd Aljijakli,
High School Senior at Al Sanawbar School (Year 13)
Shahd Aljijakli, a Syrian refugee who has overcome numerous obstacles, stands as a beacon of resilience and determination. Despite the turmoil of war and displacement she faced in Syria, Shahd never wavered in her spirit. Forced to move frequently, she never had the opportunity to settle down, yet she embraced change as a catalyst for personal growth. With unwavering belief in the transformative power of change, she encourages others to view life's unpredictable twists and turns as opportunities for self-discovery. Shahd's journey exemplifies the human capacity to thrive amidst adversity, inspiring us to embrace change and shape our own narratives.