Schools
Whiz Kid: Dearborn High's Orabi Leads in Academics and Soccer
With a 4.4 grade point average, valedictorian Norman Orabi's high school schedule is so busy that the first year in college could look like a break.
Name: Norman Orabi
Ages: 18
Schools:
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Accomplishment: Orabi, who has maintained a busy pace with academics, sports and community activities during his four years in high school, has put a lot of energy into his teenage years–the kind of dedication that is likely to take him far.
“I really enjoyed high school, and it’s nice to be valedictorian,” said Orabi, who graduated last week. “It’s been a lot of fun, but also a lot of work.”
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Orabi has spent most of his school career in Dearborn. He said one of the best things about Dearborn High was the dedication his teachers showed in helping him meet his goals.
“I had some really great teachers,” he said.
Orabi, also a member of the National Honor Society, said his favorite class was math.
Key to awesomeness: For an 18-year-old, Orabi kept a list of activities that would keep three teens busy.
One place he met several goals is on the soccer field, where he was the captain of the team. Additionally, Orabi was the class president, which means he represented the student body to teachers and administrators at the school.
Outside the classroom, he was a member of the Youth Affairs Commission, which is sponsored by the city of Dearborn to address the needs of young people and keep them engaged in the community.
He has been rewarded for his efforts. He won a scholarship from the Dearborn Rotary to the college of his choice.
Charles Baughman, the principal of Dearborn High, invites outstanding alumni from the schools to speak at an honors event each year. He said in about five or six years, he’s sure he’ll be calling on Orabi to speak at the event.
“He’s shown leadership skills,” Baughman said. “He’s going to be very successful in whatever he decides to do.”
It’s June, and graduation is in the air. That means Dearborn Patch is going to highlight each valedictorian on Wednesdays all month.
But being at the top of the heap is not the only factor that makes a Whiz Kid, and if you know a student who is working hard to make the grade at school–or in life–we’d like to know about it. Everyone deserves a little attention, and we want to tell these stories.
Email your Whiz Kid nominations to Editor Jessica Carreras at Jessica.carreras@patch.com. Please include the name, age, school, achievement and key to awesomeness, as well as a photo. Then come back every Wednesday for our Whiz Kid spotlight. You never know who may be smiling at you from the computer screen.
