Alaa’I Ahamed
- University of California, Riverside
- Anaheim, California, Cypress High School
Upon noticing increasing instances of Islamophobia, Alaa’I joined the Muslim Student Association and vowed to make permanent change in her school and community. Alaa’I met with fellow students, educators, and administrators to host a hijab booth. Following the success of the hijab booth, Alaa’I established the COEXIST Club. She explains that both the hijab booth and the COEXIST Club achieved her goal “to build cultural bridges and bring diverse students together.” Alaa’I has worked as a medical assistant in the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program, and she is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and HOSA-Future Health Professionals.