DEARBORN — Some of McDonald Elementary School’s most distinguished students received recognition from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee’s Goodwill Program on Wednesday for their contributions and commitment to serving their school here.

McDonald students were honored in three categories: safety, service squad and exemplary citizenship. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab/TAAN

About 95 students were honored in three categories: safety, service squad and exemplary citizenship. Students were called on stage, and received toys, gift cards and certificates. “I want all of you to promise us you’re going to continue the hard work, and you’re going to volunteer all your time to making all of us proud,” ADC Goodwill Program Chairwoman Ms. Hala Sbeiti said.

This year’s guest speaker was 12-year-old Bachar Sbeiti. At the age of 10 Sbeiti was denied entry into high school by the Ontario School Board, and then eventually granted permission to enroll. Today he’s a sophomore in high school, and still being proclaimed a child prodigy.  His rare gift caught the attention of people when he was only 14 months old, but Sbeiti says he’s not gifted, and that with hard work anyone can achieve the same level of success.

“Many of you might call me gifted or special but that’s not true. Anyone of you can be like me. Anyone of you can make your dreams come true, if you try you can do anything,” he told students. He thanked his mother, Goodwill Program Chairwoman Sbeiti and the ADC, noting none of his achievements would have been possible without them.

“Throughout all these years the ADC has stood by me and my mother, and helped me overcome lots of obstacles throughout my life,” he said.

Chairwoman Sbeiti spent hours helping her son everyday with his homework while he was growing up. “She wouldn’t even go to parties or anything because she didn’t want to leave me. That’s why I’m blessed that God gave me a mom like her,” Sbeiti said.

McDonald Principal Mrs. Jawad thanked the ADC and its regional director Imad Hamad for his commitment to serving the youth in the area.

Dearborn Public Schools Associate Superintendent Dr. Jill Chochol reminded students that citizenship and character are critically important qualities. “Boys and girls you also want to be proud of your behavior and how you treat others,” she said.

Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad asked all the female students to stand up, and praised women for breaking barriers in many professions that didn’t have female leadership when he was growing up.

“I’m especially proud of the young ladies because when I was growing up there was only a few women who were leadership models, but times have changed,” Haddad said.