Suhayb describes himself as confident and curious. He’s always trying to learn new things and he never shies away from a public speaking opportunity. As the first student Teaching Assistant for the school’s front desk and a leader of the Student Ambassadors at Summit Sierra Public Charter High School (Summit), he has developed a knack for talking with parents and potential students about all that Summit has to offer. Suhayb explained further in his senior spotlight interview: “Hosting our own events as ambassadors is really cool. Having student voice in how we reach out to families has also bolstered our own students’ commitment to school.”
Following in Family Footsteps
Suhayb’s family enrolled him in Summit Sierra because his older brother had such a positive experience there. “My family liked the Summit model of project-based learning and that my brother wasn’t just doing a test to determine his grade. He was doing great in all his classes. They especially liked how they support the next steps to college – Summit does that exceptionally well.”
Before enrolling, Suhayb already knew about Summit’s unique mentorship model. “My brother had been gloating to me and saying ‘I have a mentor and you don’t!’ I was excited about the mentors. After the pandemic and feeling a disconnect between you and the teachers, having a mentor as someone in your corner for the next four years is amazing. They help you get jobs, find opportunities, and review college essays.”
Diversity of Teaching Styles
One of the things that Suhayb appreciated most about Summit Sierra’s approach to education is the variety of teaching styles used to support student learning. “Summit Sierra fits my learning style because there’s a lot of different skills that they hone here. Not only do you have group projects in history, you have tests in math and presentations in environmental science. You work on how to present yourself in the classroom and hone your skills in public speaking. It gives teachers a way to approach students with something specific to them based on the data they have.”
“My grades wouldn’t be as good if I was not at Summit Sierra,” Suhayb said. “Teachers remind you and support you when needed. They have office hours after school.” Additionally, he feels that having a mentor was critical in supporting him on his path to college. “If I wasn’t at Summit, not having a mentor would not be good. My mentor Ms. Park was pivotal in me writing my college essay. She took it to the level that got me into the University of Washington.”
Advice for Freshman
Suhayb can’t say enough about his mentor and the role she’s played in his academic success. He encourages every new student to take time to invest in that relationship. “Get to know your mentor. Your mentor is the most important thing,” he explains. “They’re the one who can help you get back on track if you’re late. They can coordinate with other teachers. Having that bond is what can you propel into what’s next.”
What’s next for Suhayb
As he finishes up classes, Suhayb is getting ready to move across Seattle to attend the University of Washington – Seattle (UW) with a full-ride scholarship as a Public Health major in the pre-med track. “I always wanted to do pre-med when I was a kid. I want to be a healer and help people in their times of need where I can. It is tied closely with my faith and how I was raised. Caretaking is central to my family’s values.”
He learned about UW thanks to Summit Sierra’s Expeditions program. “Expeditions are a two-week break in classes three times a year,” Suhayb explained. “You do some sort of career opportunity or community experience. There was a research opportunity for a fruit fly lab at UW-Seattle and I got into that program; it showed me why UW was a good fit for me. The faculty we were working with were amazing and they built us up to be able to do a presentation about our experience in front of the school and all our parents. Mrs. Gooden, the Dean of Expeditions, is the reason why I chose to go to UW-Seattle.”
Congratulations, Suhayb! There is no doubt that your journey to the University of Washington and beyond will be one to watch. Thank you for your dedication to being a strong leader at Summit Sierra and for sharing your passion with the world. We are proud of all that you have accomplished!