On August 17th, the AAYSP held its first annual Back to School event at Salina Middle School’s auditorium. It featured a guest speaker, a ticket raffle and prizes, lunch, and began with a few words of wisdom from Waleed Mohsin.

Adel and Adeeb Mozip continued the presentation, talking about what the AAYSP is, and explaining the organization’s ultimate goal of promoting higher education. AAYSP sponsors local activities, and does various community services such as taking local high school students to the area’s universities. This one-on-one with the students helps them better understand what to expect when enrolling and attending a university.

“People who have been through what you have, can better understand you than any counsler can,” said Adeeb, referring to the benefits of AAYSP’s aforementioned service.

Guest speaker Anisa Sahoubah, the Education Director at the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services [ACCESS], addressed the myths and obstacles of going to college.

“It is too expensive,” an audience member said.

Sahoubah explained ways to get around the financial barrier, citing resources such as federal financial aid, scholarships, and student loans.

“There really isn’t an excuse to why you can’t go to college,” she said.

The presentation continued with the Higher Education Talk show, a mock talk show hosted by Fattum Mutahr, and featured newly admitted college students Karima Alwakya, Hana Alawy, Safa Said, Muhammed Mutahr, and Anese Yaffai as the guests.

The talk show stressed the importance of students asking for help when they need to, and being involved in their schools and communities. It also addressed the commonly misunderstood concepts of dual enrollment, AP classes and so forth. The discussion panel then talked about what helped them get to where they are today, and what they would have done differently in high school.

“I would put a 110% to my classes, and try my best to excel in every class from Chemistry to PE Eduaction class” said Alawy, recent graduate of Edsel Ford High School and newly admitted to Wayne State University pre-pharmacy program.

“I would have been more involved with sports and clubs,” said Yaffai.

The event ended with lunch and a chance for students to talk to local university representatives.

The AAYSP would like to thank Henry Ford Community College, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Wayne State University, Lawrence Tech University, Central Michigan University, Illusion Sciences, Micro PC, Azal Computer, Yemeni American News, Dearborn Public Schools, and American Moslem Society for making this event possible.

 click here to view more pictures of the event