2013-2014: Pamela Molnar, Senior

‘Teacher’, ‘advocate’, and ‘friend’ are the words used by School Counselor Randi Rosenberg to describe Pamela Molnar. Inspired by her mother, Pamela wants to

become a Special Education teacher. She has been pursuing this path by tutoring a student at an elementary school, serving as a mentor, and helping students with intellectual disabilities in her mother’s classroom. She has also volunteered summers for four years at the Fairfax County Parks Therapeutic Recreation Camp Program.

Pamela worked to establish a chapter at West Potomac of ‘Best Buddies’, an international organization that works to develop one-to-one friendships between individuals with and without disabilities. She was the chapter’s vice-president her sophomore year and has been the organization's president for the last two years. Under her leadership, the program has grown considerably, and her Principal chose the Best Buddies Club to represent the school at a tree-trimming celebration at Reagan National Airport. The club members created over 100 ornaments and accompanied 18 other students, both special needs and general education, to decorate the tree. Pamela also serves on the Fairfax County School Board’s Advisory Committee for students with disabilities and on two subcommittees, one of which is the anti-bullying committee.

Pamela wants to be is a friend – a good friend -- for those who are in need of one. She understands that students with disabilities often have fewer opportunities to get out, make new friends, or go to the movies. She and the program she leads open up those opportunities. She and her peers are working to change the culture of a school and make her community stronger.

Pamela recognizes that peace is built in many ways, but it starts with building bridges between people. Pamela does this in her school and in her community; as a teacher, an advocate, and a friend.

2014-2015: Wadia Mahzabeen, Senior

Wadia Mahzabeen's story is one of violence and reconciliation. She was born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Bangladeshi parents who came to the United States in the 1990s. When she was a young child, her parents began taking her to Bengali school in Northern Virginia on Saturdays where she studied Bengali language, song and dance.

As she grew older and more aware of her Banglasdeshi heritage, she became deeply interested in the history of Bangladesh. She learned that in 1971, Bangladesh (then referred to as "East Pakistan"), was involved in a brutal war of liberation from Pakistan. Over three million Bangladeshis were victims of a genocidal campaign aimed at destroying the revolution. She expanded her understanding of that conflict by talking and listening to an older generation and interviewing veterans of the war including members of her extended family.

For the past 4½ years, Allison has volunteered at the Sunrise Nursing Home. She assists the residents in games and other activities. She says she is encouraged by how much the residents enjoy being visited and how they appreciate conversation or a game of Bingo. After assisting in the nursing home and serving as a nanny for a young boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, Allison feels she has a new appreciation for the great variety among people and the struggles and difficulties many face just go get through each day.

Eventually, Allison would like to complete a degree in law and enter politics where she hopes to continue to make a difference.

2016-2017: Combating Intolerance

West Potomac is one of the most diverse schools in the US, with students representing 70 countries and 40 languages. The Combating Intolerance class was established in 2015 to create a sense of peace, inclusivity, and welcome. Teacher Robert Kerr designed the curriculum around topics in social justice, including combating racism and sexism, welcoming immigrant and refugee students, and advocating for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and asexual students, staff, and community members.

The class sponsored a school-wide Diversity Week, with days dedicated to women, sexual minorities, Latinx students, Muslims (both religious and cultural), and supporting the African-American community. Each month the 22-member class sells T-shirts and other items to help fund small, local non-profits which they select. Students are being taught to implement change in order to create a more inclusive society.

Students in Combating Intolerance also learn to use their voice both literally and figuratively. They have written letters and emails to elected officials about legislation related to social justice and combating intolerance. Students make videos for various social media platforms and engage groups within the school in constructive discussions. Class times include research, lectures, videos, readings, and discussions about civil rights and social justice issues, both locally and nationally. Students then present their findings in social media, being careful to present articulate and reasoned conclusions.

Robert Kerr summarizes, “The Combating Intolerance class has through its activities and visibility made West Potomac a more welcoming and safer place for all students, staff, and families.”

2017-2018: Kameron Clarke, Senior

Kameron Clarke is president of the Black Student Union and is concerned about the interaction of students with authorities, given the national problems of police shooting and mass incarceration. Collaborating with students in the Combating Intolerance class, she organized a seminar aimed at bringing the school community into a closer relationship with local police officers. A panel consisting of local community leaders, police officers, and West Potomac students gave a presentation to foster learning, communication, and understanding. In particular, Kameron hopes that students will feel safer in their interactions with police and with one another.

2018-2019: Diana Argueta, Senior

Diana Argueta, an immigrant from El Salvador, came to the U.S. in 2015 and learned English while navigating her high school classes. In her freshman year she was a founding member of the Hispanic Leadership Club (HLC), and she currently serves as its president. The missions of HLC are to spread awareness of Hispanic cultures, to empower Hispanic students to become leaders in their school and community, and to create events that bring diverse communities together.

As community service coordinator for HLC, Diana recruited volunteers to tutor local elementary school students in Spanish and to read to and mentor children who have just moved to the U.S. She also led volunteers for a national day of service with Rebuilding Together. With this organization, Diana helped to assemble over 20 students to paint a kitchen for a shelter in Alexandria.

Additional responsibilities Diana has assumed include organizing food drives for hurricane victims and assisting other students to understand graduation requirements.

Diana says, “As an immigrant to the U.S., I depended on people to help me learn about this country, and now I want to help others in the same way.”

HLC sponsor, Katherine Lodge, says, “Diana Argueta has dedicated her energy and her passion for the Hispanic community. With many competing interests in HLC, Diana is the one who constantly encourages members to actively listen to opposing points of view and to find a middle ground. Diana is a force for peace in the club and beyond.”

2019-2020: Amaani Mohamed, Junior

Black Student Union faculty sponsor, Shari Terry, describes Amaani Mohamed as “an open-minded leader who gives great originality of thought to what she does. She fights for things that are right and will benefit the individuals of the West Potomac community.” Amaani says she welcomes new students, helps them

feel comfortable, and assists them to find their voices. She was responsible for organizing this year’s community poetry reading for the Black Student Union.

Amaani has also taken leading roles in the Young Democrats and the Muslim Student Association (MSA) at West Potomac. As co-vice president of the MSA, Amaani plans for the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament, helping students prepare for competitions in areas such as reading the Quran, athletics, singing, and photography.

According to her mathematics teacher, Adriana Loza, “The way Amaani presents herself in the classroom shows a quiet confidence. She is always sincere and encouraging. She is gracious and appreciates any learning opportunities presented to her. She talks passionately about helping others and living her life in a way that assists and inspires others to improve upon their circumstances.”

Amaani and some classmates started a student group, Together for Change. Working with the county government’s CLEAN Fairfax program, they have organized two clean-ups and hosted a food drive, involving as many as 78 elementary and middle school students in a single event.

Amaani says she loves to help others. She says her parents’ stories of struggling to gain an education have motivated her to help other students to gain access to the great educational opportunities available in this country.