Community News (V15-I21)

Ibtihaj Muhammad  wins fencing gold

Team USA members  Ibtihaj Muhammad, Mariel Zagunis, and Eliza Stone combined to lead the United States past Hungary, 45-38, for the women’s team gold medal at the Absolute Fencing Gear Korfanty World Cup saber competition in Chicago. This is yet another feather in the cap of the hijab wearing athlete.

The Chicago Sabre World Cup, also known as the Absolute Fencing Gear Korfanty World Cup, was held May 3-5 at the University of Chicago Flames Athletic Center.

Attiya Lateef scores at oratory contest

SMITHSBURG,MD–Attiya Latif of Smithsburg High School won bronze quarterfinalist medal and a $1,500 scholarship at the  2013 National Finals for the American Legion Oratorical Contest from April 19-21 in Indianapolis. She competed against 52 contesstants from all 50 states.

She had earned her spot in the nationals after winning the state title in the Maryland American Legion High School Oratorical Contest on March 3 at Towson University.  She had  won the Funkstown Post 211 Legion-level contest, the county-level contest and the district-level competition in Woodsboro, Md., on her way to the national title.
The Oratorical Contest presents participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of the  nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.

Sarah Mohammed receives Swan scholarship

Sarah Mohammed, left, is shown with Wayland Trustee John B. McKinstry as he welcomes her to Wayland Academy by presenting her with a copy of “The Wayland Story.”

BEAVER DAM,WI–The prestigious Wayland Academy announced Sarah Mohammed is the 10th recipient of the annual Swan Scholarship.

Mohammed said that her parents had always encouraged her to look at the private boarding school for her high school years but it was not until after shadowing a family friend that she realized that was her passion.

“I fell in love with they place,” Mohammed said. “The layout is amazing and the atmosphere is spectacular. The people and the diversity — I just loved it.”

The Swan Scholarship is a renewable four-year full scholarship for a resident of Beaver Dam Unified School District. It is named for Mary Swan, who was a generous patron of education in her hometown and her alma mater Wayland Academy.

Mohammed, Usman among Gates Millenium Scholarship recipients

PORTLAND,OR–The Gates Millenium Scholarships are prestigious awards given to only 1,000 students selected out of nearly 50,000 applicants. The program, created in 1999 with a $1 billion grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, funds full-ride scholarships to college for outstanding minority students.

While a complete list is not available there are at least two Muslim students who have been selected from Portland area.

Sabrina Mohammed, a Benson High School student , came to the U.S. from Ethiopia at age 10. She is senior class vice president at Benson. She plans to attend University of Portland and continue on to medical school. She plans to return to her village in Ethiopia after she becomes a doctor.

Nathira Osman, a Madison High School senior, is Somali and one of 11 children. She is in the AVID Program, National Honor Society and has worked with middle-schoolers in Portland’s 9th Grade Counts at Madison. She also continues to serve as a Mentor for Madison’s Gear Up Program and helped found the school’s African Club.

15-21