so many skilled orators...

So many skilled orators gathered to gain the opportunity to speak on behalf of their classmates. This was their chance to express their feelings, happiness, gratitude and anxiety about leaving this familiar home to seek new accomplishments. As usual, the judges had the challenge of choosing the best, and the best were many, for all of them spoke words from the heart. So many impressed and dazzled us with their sincerity, confidence, and maturity. The scores were close, but finalists were finally selected. Again, more rigorous auditions took place, but finally, our anxious finalists rushed to hear the results. Sounds of murmurs, beating hearts, and sighs filled the room but only to be later replaced by wonderful smiles expressing how honored and fulfilled they felt at having been chosen.

AMB: Deema Hazim, Hana AlZarouni, Jude Sharaiha, Khalid Al Taweel, Leyan Ali, Mahra Al Saffar, Maryam Al Saeed, Omar Saied, Sima Nassif.

AMG: Ahmed Beltagy, Al Sayed Al Hashemi, Alae Moukri, Aya Abdul Raziq, Joana Ayyad, Mona Khatib, Omar Chouman, Sama Elgendy, Sina Mohammadi.

AMK: AlJood AlHajjaj, Hoor AlHajjaj, Jana Dalleh, Mariam Ali.

We are very proud of our finalists, and we hope that their voices will echo in the future and provide inspiration for aspiring AMSI orators.

so many skilled orators...

From the soles of my shoes hitting the brick flooring of Al Mawakeb’s exterior for the first time to the pulse of my heart exasperatingly beating while being dressed in a graduation gown that represents our journey, I am proud to say that the best educators have raised me. In fourteen years, I have shed my blood, sweat, and tears. I have developed a constructive understanding of who I am and how I learn; therefore, I believe every second and action you took in these years are pivotal and meaningful as they are the sharpest proof of human evolution, whether that is mental or physical; however, one memory stands unique, and it is when Al Mawakeb allowed me to take part in a campaign at the American University of Sharjah’s Engineering Department. I’ve always been ambitious, yet I had never fully utilized this aspect of my life, so when I took the chance and experienced an educational drive beyond any other, I was in awe. It was as if I crossed a unique intersection of my social life at Al Mawakeb, and I realized that I could be more than just a student. I can be a learner, a thinker, and a creator. Thus, it comes with a tinge of sadness how grateful I am to leave Al Mawakeb as their student and to venture beyond the impossible.

In 2019, I had to move to the United States because of family circumstances. It was a very challenging experience. I was away from home, and everything was unfamiliar. I struggled to adapt to the new environment and make new friends; however, when I returned to school here, it felt like coming home. The campus’s familiarity and the teachers’ support made all the difference. They were there for me when I needed help and encouragement. This experience taught me an important lesson about the power of community and support. We can overcome even the toughest challenges when people believe in us and stand by us. As we move forward into the future, I encourage all of you to seek out those who will support and encourage you. Whether it is your family, friends, or teachers, surround yourself with people who believe in you and your dreams.

Au cours de nombreuses années à Al Mawakeb, j’ai appris beaucoup de choses, mais celle que j’ai apprise et qui m’a vraiment marqué était d’accepter à la fois le succès et l’échec... Je reconnais également les personnes qui m’ont soutenu tout au long de mon parcours, que ce soit ma famille, mes amis ou mes professeurs. Je sais que je ne réussirai pas toujours du premier coup, mais ce n’est pas grave car je peux profiter de ce que j’ai appris et l’utiliser pour m’améliorer. Dans mes futurs projets, que ce soit à l’université, dans ma carrière ou dans d’autres aspects de ma vie, je sais que je ferai face à la fois à des succès et à des échecs. Saisir les deux m’aidera à rester motivé et à continuer quand les choses deviennent difficiles.

Sina Mohammadi - 12D, Al Mawakeb Al Garhoud

As I reflect on my school days, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for my teachers’ unwavering support and encouragement. Their belief in my abilities and consistent guidance during a challenging time in my academic journey profoundly impacted me. Through their mentorship, I learned the power of guidance and support. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to persevere through difficulties. Through their support, I understood the importance of working together and supporting each other. I strive to create inclusive and collaborative environments wherever I go. I am committed to carrying these lessons and I aspire to be a source of inspiration and guidance for others and to embody resilience and perseverance...

Sama El Gendy - 12A, Al Mawakeb Al Garhoud

Imaginez une communauté là où on vous enseigne constamment de nouvelles compétences, où vous êtes aimés et soutenus pour ce que vous êtes, où vous êtes toujours entourés de votre famille. Pour moi, c’est ma réalité quotidienne à l’école... Chaque moment à l’école a une place précieuse dans mon cœur; les rires, les larmes; le soutien, l’amour, les encouragements, le stress et l’apprentissage! Comme ma plus grande source d’inspiration l’a dit un jour, nous sommes une génération d’espoir, nous sommes des apprenants et nous sommes des impacteurs et nos journées d’école nous ont façonnés pour être les meilleurs possible afin d’inspirer ceux qui nous entourent. Je quitterai cette école, la tête pleine de connaissances mais aussi le Cœur et l’esprit pleins de merveilleux souvenirs qui font de moi ce que je suis aujourd’hui...

Fun... Laughter... Chants and cheers... Victory... Sports Day is a memory everyone shares, a day everyone looks forward to. It is a core memory. One for the books! However, the most meaningful memories are not always the significant events that everyone awaits, for the little things are the ones that leave the most everlasting print in one’s mind. My most meaningful memory? After tearing a ligament in my ankle, I felt cared for. I was always taken care of by having my bag carried by others while I went up the stairs or by being told “salamtek” in the hallway. The tiniest things make me appreciate and feel grateful that I’m in a school such as Al Mawakeb. Thank you to our teachers for your inspiring kindness and compassion, for always being there for us through everything. The courage and determination you possess is truly admirable. And most importantly, thank you Class of 2023, for making school so worthwhile and for the experiences and memories shared.

Scattered throughout the globe are over 200 nationalities with different stories to uncover. As an Al Mawakeb student, I had the privilege and opportunity to hear some of these stories. As my teachers and classmates delve into their experiences and recount the morals they have learned from their cultures, my interest, passion, and curiosity are awakened, allowing me to discover new possibilities and dive into new fields that interest me. I have become more aware and enthusiastic. Throughout high school, I noticed a drastic shift in my sense of independence and self-reliability. qualities that will reside within me forever as I tread my future path. Most importantly, among the myriad things that Al Mawakeb has taught me is the true value of family. Our closely-knit bond goes beyond our campus; our connections will undoubtedly last for years to come.

Today is a day to remember. We all started feeling so timid on the first day of high school, but today we are the confident achievers of tomorrow. Our path is filled with countless memories; memories that never fail to make me smile. The memories, however, that genuinely tug at our heartstrings are the ones we shared with our beloved teachers. They are the moments when we laughed until our stomachs ached. We are blessed with the most devoted teachers who were family to us, and they play integral roles in shaping us into the individuals we are today. As we step into the next chapter of our lives, let us cherish and honor these moments. Graduates, let us celebrate this momentous occasion with joy and appreciation. We have achieved so much, and the future has infinite possibilities.

Jana Dalleh - 12C, Al Mawakeb Al Khawaneej

so many skilled orators...

What can I say? I have had many special memories during my 14 years at Al Mawakeb; however, one feeling is embedded in my memories: family. I recognized one feeling embedded in my memories: family. I recall the day we lost the volleyball tournament at the AUS sports competition. We were devastated. We spent the following months training, supporting each other when making mistakes, and constantly reminding ourselves and each other to hold our heads high. After months of hard work, we went on to win the next two tournaments. Thankfully, this spirit of support and encouragement has always been prevalent within Al Mawakeb’s community. Receiving friendly smiles from people you barely know as you pass by them in the hallways is a common occurrence that only exemplifies how uplifting our community is. I will forever cherish this precious feeling and be grateful to have been part of the Al Mawakeb family.

Alors que nous nous réunissons ici pour célébrer nos réalisations et faire nos adieux à l’école d’Al Mawakeb, je ne peux m’empêcher de réfléchir aux souvenirs que nous avons créés au cours de ces 14 années incroyables et aux leçons que nous avons apprises... Nous avons ri, pleuré, et célébré ensemble, formant des liens qui dureront toute une vie. Al Mawakeb est plus qu’une école; c’est une place qui est devenue notre maison et notre famille... Alors, célébrons la diversité de nos rêves, et les chemins uniques qui nous attendent. Gardons les souvenirs et les leçons de notre passage ici, et embrassons l’avenir avec un cœur ouvert, prêts à affronter de nouveaux défis, et à être le changement que nous voulons voir dans le monde. Peu importe où nos chemins nous mènent après plusieurs années, Al Mawakeb sera toujours là pour nous accueillir chez nous!

so many skilled orators...

le souvenir le plus significatif pour moi se rapporte à mes amis. Les liens que nous avons créés dépassent le cadre de l’école. Pour le meilleur et pour le pire, nous avons partagé des moments de joie, de bonheur et de tristesse aussi, et nous avons grandi ensemble. L’amitié est un soutien et un réconfort pour toute la vie. La leçon la plus importante que j’ai apprise à l’école est que le travail acharné et la persévérance sont toujours payés. Cette belle leçon est ma motivation pour mes projets futurs. Je garderai toujours à l’esprit que la persévérance est la clé du succès. Peu importe les obstacles auxquels je ferais face dans ma vie professionnelle ou personnelle, je sais que je peux les surmonter en travaillant dur et en gardant mon objectif en tête...

Alae Moukri - 12A, Al Mawakeb Al Garhoud

Je suis très émue et flattée. Le simple fait de partager mes réflexions avec vous est déjà un honneur. Un des souvenirs les plus significatifs que je garde était la journée sportive... J’ai vu de mes propres yeux à quel point notre école accordait de l’importance à l’esprit d’équipe, à l’esprit sportif et à la persévérance... Je peux affirmer que mon école m’a offert bien plus qu’une simple éducation, un environnement où j’ai pu grandir et apprendre, tant sur le plan académique que personnel. J’ai été inspirée par le dévouement et la passion de nos enseignants, qui ont travaillé sans relâche pour nous aider à atteindre notre plein potentiel. J’ai également noué des amitiés durables avec mes camarades de classe, qui m’ont soutenue dans les moments difficiles... Cette leçon et les souvenirs que j’ai créés resteront avec moi dans mes futurs projets et aventures, et je garderai toujours une place spéciale dans mon cœur pour cette institution.