AAYSP’s 14th Annual Scholarship GALA Recognized Community Members, Educators and Students
By: Omar Thabet
On Wednesday, August 21st, the American Association of Yemeni Students and Professionals (AAYSP) held their 14th annual Scholarship GALA at Lincoln Manor Hall in Lincoln Park.
During the event, AAYSP recognized community members, educators and students with awards for their hard work and commitment to a better future.
Hesham Aldhaibani, who is the President for AAYSP’s Michigan chapter, said the goal of the GALA was to promote higher education.
“We want to bridge the gap between high schools and colleges,” Aldhaibani said. “Rather if it is universities, 2-year-schools, or trade schools; our aim is to have a well-educated community and to improve the quality of their life, as well as future generations.”
Community member Safa Mohammed was also in attendance at the AAYSP GALA and she was excited to see all the students receive awards and scholarships.
When asked what she wanted to see from these students 5-10 years from now, Safa said, “When I visit a doctor’s office, I want to see one of them. When I visit a pharmacy, I want to see one of them. I want to see our students grow and shine. I also want them to continue to help the next generations as well.”
The Keynote speaker for the event was Judge Rashad Hauter. Mr. Hauter is the first ever Yemeni-American Judge in the United States.
Mr. Hauter, along with many other speakers at the event, centered their speeches on the theme of paying their respects to the people who were there before them. Rather if it was parents, professionals or educators; all the speakers made sure they recognized the people who paved the way for them to be where they are today.
Community Members take a photo with AAYSP board members at the 14th annual scholarship GALA. Photo by: Saba Moments
Below are all the people who received an award at the GALA:
Educational Leader of the Year Award Bushra Hussain
Community Member of the Year Award Abdulmalik Algahaim
Student of the Year Award Leanne Nasser
Teacher of the Year Award Aseel Alkilanie
Teacher of the Year Award Nasrine Altairi
Teacher of the Year Award Aieda Dabish
Teacher of the Year Award Abeer Saleh
Teacher of the Year Award Eftikhar Saleh-Hernandez
Teacher of the Year Award Dennis Whalen
Here are all the scholarship winners of the 2024 AAYSP Scholarship GALA. Photo by: Saba Moments
Scholarship Recipients
Medina Abdulkarim Ayman Alawry Hamadh Derhem Leanne Nassser
Shadia Abdullah Mnahil Almaweri Yahya Elghazali Ayah Saleh
Sameh Ahmed Ahlam Alshemmam Mayasm Ghalib Rofeda Saleh
Anwar Ahmed Malak Baalawi Muataz Hizam Akram Saleh
Bushra Ahmed Ravy Badi Anas Mozip Mariyah Saleh
Student of the Year: Leanne Nasser
Leanne Nasser was AAYSP’s 2024 student of the year. This award was sponsored by Rasheed Alnozili and The Yemeni American News.
Leanne is a graduate out of Fordson High School. Leanne was ranked third in her senior class with a whopping 4.57 cumulative grade point average. Leanne was also featured on NPR’s “Here and Now” for her work as a student at Fordson.
When asked how she felt when she received the news that she was this year’s student of the year, Leanne said, “I felt honored.”
“The first thing I wanted to do was to go show my sister because we share a lot of memories together, and that’s when she congratulated me,” Leanne said. “Then I went straight to working on my speech for the GALA, reflecting on my accomplishments thus far.”
Rasheen Alnozili hands Leanne Nasser the 2024 Student of the Year award sponsored by The Yemeni American News
One thing that made Leanne successful in high school was that she never turned down an opportunity that was going to help her grow. Leanne was the vice president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) at Fordson high school (among other things).
Leanne said, “Whatever challenge that came my way, I took it head on. Whether that meant I was volunteering every day of the week or just studying up all night, I truly made my best efforts in whatever I did.”
When asked what her strongest trait was, Leanne said, “My determination and will to stay focused.”
In her speech at the GALA, Leanne made sure she recognized her parents for all the hard work and sacrifices they made throughout her journey.
Leanne said, “My parents are the most important thing. Without their support being there for me, I wouldn’t be who I am today. My mom and dad always pushed me when I was younger. For example, if I didn’t understand a concept in class, they would do their own studying just so they can come back to me and explain it to me. That meant the world to me.”
HPS, board member, 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸 𝗔𝗹𝗴𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗺, was honored with the 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 award!. 𝗔𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗵, HPS teachers, was recognized as 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮r
HPS, board member, 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸 𝗔𝗹𝗴𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗺, was honored with the 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 award!.
In the fall, Leanne plans to attend the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and wants to major in neuroscience, with a minor in statistics.
Leanne closed out her interview thanking AAYSP and the Yemeni American News for the recognition.
All the staff at The Yemeni American News want to congratulate all award and scholarship recipients during AAYSP’s 14th Annual GALA. Keep making your communities proud!
