DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Three Arab American students received special recognition Thursday at Crestwood High School here for their success both academically and in other areas. The students all received tuition-free scholarships for four years from the University of Michigan. 

Hassan Abbas, the president of the National Honor Society received the prestigious Sidney J. and Irene Shipman Scholarship. Only 15 students who apply for the scholarship from across the country actually receive it.  It is offered to incoming freshmen from the Shipman society at U of M. Abbas had to participate in a intensive three day interview process. He plays varsity golf, has a 4.1 GPA, received a 32 on his ACT and was accepted to the university’s nursing school. 

“You have to be well rounded, you can’t just focus on one area, there’s the social and academic aspect and community service aspect. Really all three of those,” Abbas said. 

Left, Maktari, Dakka and Abbas. PHOTO: Natasha Dado/TAAN

The second student Ali Dakka is currently on Harvard’s waiting list, and being considered for admission by the Ivy League school. He is a member of the National Honor Society, plays on the varsity track team, has a 4.3 GPA and obtained a 31 on his ACT. He was accepted to the university’s College of Literature, Science and Arts. His mother said she became emotional when finding out Dakka received the scholarship. “He always makes sure his work is perfect.  I’m always proud of him.  I started crying when I found out. It was like I was holding the whole world in between my hands. 

Dakka’s advice to other students is to work as hard as they can, and not always take only easy classes, and make school their first priority. Aymen Maktari, is the director of communications for the NHS, and plays soccer and track. He’s the first student commissioner for the Dearborn Heights Watershed, has over a 4.1 GPA, and was accepted to the university’s engineering college.

“We always knew he would achieve something regardless of what it was. He’s  always on top of everything that comes his way,” Maktari’s father said. 

“My advice to other students is to work hard, and to always remember to never let somebody tell you, you can’t do something, you should use that as motivation,” Aymen said, noting that a school counselor once told him it would be too difficult for him to get into U of M.  

“I have been blessed to work closely with such a large group of intelligent motivated leaders who set high academic standards for themselves and many have achieved beyond those standards,” said Crestwood High School Counselor Yusra Hamadeh.  

She says just this year CHS has already had nine students accepted to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor for early admission and 11 total students who have been admitted.