When you hear the word “scholar” from now on, associate it with Hawthorne High School senior, Ruqaiyah ElSaawy. ElSaawy, who is graduating in the top percentile of the senior class, will be attending Stevens Institute of Technology next fall and entering the elite Steven’s Scholar Program.
According to Stevens official website, the Steven’s Scholar Program is an exclusive program that students must be selected for based on high academic prowess. Once in the program, ElSaawy will be working closely with professors to take part in “unique and extremely valuable hands-on exploration and application.” The program also offers opportunities to participate in special academic events.
If being a Steven’s Scholar was not impressive enough, the program will also allow ElSaawy to graduate with a combined bachelors and masters degree in just four years. ElSaawy plans on majoring in computer engineering.
On choosing her major, ElSaawy said, “My goals and plans are flexible, and I have changed my planned career many times, but the one goal that I will achieve is to find an engaging career that will allow me to travel around the world.”
Apart from a very impressive academic record and future, ElSaawy also excels in her extracurricular activities. In addition to being a very active member of the Creative Writing Club at HHS, ElSaawy has led the club in the publishing of its literary magazine, The Empyrean, both in print and online. ElSaawy manages everything from the design of the cover to the layout of the pages of the publication.
Creative Writing Club advisor, Theresa DiGeronimo, commented on ElSaawy’s hard work and dedication, calling her an “invaluable member” of the club.
ElSaawy is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Italian Honor Society.
Outside of HHS, ElSaawy continues to build her list of already impressive extracurricular activities. ElSaawy spends much of her free time helping her town and others through volunteer work. She volunteers at Hawthorne’s Louis Bay 2nd Public Library and at the Community Blood Services in Paramus. Besides volunteering and helping those around her, she also takes time for herself and practices Tae Kwon Do.
It is clear that no matter where ElSaawy ends up in life, both professionally and geographically, she will be a dedicated and hardworking individual who succeeds at all she does. Everyone here at HHS wishes the best for the Steven’s Scholar, Ruqaiyah ElSaawy.