2018-2019: Reem Ali, Senior

Reem Ali has been interested in global humanitarian crises since she was a child. She was inspired by her parents, who educated her in current affairs and ensured that she was familiar with her Sudanese heritage.

In her sophomore year, Reem and a few friends founded Project Humanity, a club dedicated to supporting charities that provide international humanitarian relief. They have now expanded the group through work with churches, mosques, and school communities. Her projects have included a book drive for Sudanese children; fundraising efforts for the Red Cross; and toy, clothing, food, and hygiene supply drives for Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Reem spent last summer working in Sudan as an administrative assistant for a rehabilitation center for children with disabilities. She created its website and initiated a campaign to raise awareness about the center. This campaign led to donations that were used to repair fans, construct a new play area, and help pay for electricity.

Currently, Reem is working on a clothing drive for Syrian refugees in Turkey. She also plans to sponsor an orphan through Islamic Relief and to join

additional humanitarian projects in Sudan and Yemen. She takes special pride in the involvement of her classmates and members of the Muslim Student Association and National Honor Society. She believes awareness is necessary for solving difficult humanitarian problems, and she says her goal is “to bring attention to global crises so that we can be part of the solution, rather than waiting for others to solve the conflict.”

2019-2020: Kheira Bekkadja, Junior

Kheira Bekkadja says she loves to watch communities come together to help each other. Her interest in peacemaking projects, particularly those related to mental health, was piqued in ninth grade after hearing a presentation from VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement). Inspired, Kheira became part of their Teen Team in Northern Virginia and aided in a presentation to Governor Northam, that helped secure $100 million for mental health programs throughout the state.

Recalling her own difficult transition from private to public school, Kheira decided to create an outlet for students to talk about difficult subjects, with a focus on mental health. She started Edison’s Minds Matter and is now the president. The club meets once a week, each time discussing a different mental health-related topic. They also arranged to have all Edison teachers go through mental health training, and they organized an all-day Mental Health First Aid training for club members, sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools and USA Mental Health First Aid.

After attending George Mason’s Conflict Resolution Youth Summit – which she describes as “life-changing” -- Kheira and five other students organized the Open Peacebuilding and Leadership Conference last December. The conference explored the concept of becoming peacemakers within local communities, and it included simulations to foster better intercultural communication and understanding.

Kheira’s commitment to local community cooperation and peacemaking is further shown by a meal-packing event she organized. With the help of Penny Appeal USA, Kheira and other students in Edison’s Minds Matter and the Muslim Student Organization packed meals for Bailey’s Shelter of Northern Virginia. Local Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups decorated the meal bags.

Kheira says she gets her inspiration from like-minded peacemakers. She advises, "Surround yourself with people who make you eager to create change, even if it means eliminating some people from your life. And foremost, don't be afraid of the solitude from personal self-growth."