Grade-point average: 3.4
Sport: Field hockey
College choices: She is interested in Ohio Wesleyan and Wittenberg but has not begun visiting colleges. She is interested in majoring in chemistry so she can enter a sports medicine program.
Question: Did you get dressed up on account of us? You are in a dress.
Answer: We have a game today, but I usually get dressed up. I’m not working yet, but I try to present myself as if school is my job. I read a book in sixth grade that said you get one chance to make a first impression. You never know who is watching.
Q: Is it difficult deciding what you are going to wear?
A: Oh, no, it’s fun. I love to shop for clothes. I have a church section for clothes, a lunch section and other sections in my closet. I have 20-something pairs of sandals.
Q: Are you dangerous in a store?
A: I go to a lot of thrift shops. There is a Goodwill outlet in Indiana. Each bag is $1 a pound. That’s always fun. I got my prom dress for $20. It was $400 retail. I sold it at a profit. It’s a waste of money to spend a lot of money on a dress you are going to wear one night.
Q: How can you be a senior and be only 16?
A: I started school one year early. That’s what they do in Lebanon, where I lived until I was 6. I was born in the United States, but I lived in Lebanon for six years and Jordan for three. I moved here (permanently) when I was 9. My age is not a big deal with (fellow students). They say, “You’re 16?” Then it’s over and we move on.
Q: Do you have any recollection of Lebanon and Jordan?
A: Oh, yes. We lived in a beach house in Lebanon. Jordan is mostly a desert. Both countries are beautiful. I love it there.
Q: I’ve read where there are 2 million Syrian refugees in Jordan because of the civil war.
A: I was there when Jordan closed the borders this summer. A lot of families were shut out. The biggest concern is a shortage of water because Jordan imports water.
Q: What is it like traveling to Jordan?
A: It’s a 14-hour flight there and 16 hours back because you are going into a headwind. We usually stop at JFK in New York. I watch all the new movies. I’m used to the flying. I know exactly what to pack. The worst part is getting used to the seven-hour time change. By the time you’ve adapted it’s time to come back.
Q: You live here with your aunt and uncle?
A: My father, Hanna, lives in Jordan. The translation is John. My mother, Amel, lives in London. I live with by uncle and aunt, Salim and Stephanie Khalife.
Q: Has traveling internationally helped your education?
A: I realize how much we have over here. There are no giant grocery stores over there. You must go to one market for fruit, another market for veggies and another market for meat. You come here and are grateful to have so many things. But I might be the only person in school who dislikes (soda) pop. I take two sips of 7-Up and I’m done for the year. I like water, tea and coffee. I’m picky about everything I eat. I eat healthy. I love chicken.
Q: How did you get into field hockey? You play year round.
A: My 18-year-old brother, Joseph, played ice hockey and I was interested. (He’s at Ohio State.) I got into field hockey. I’ve always played defense. I want to play in college if I can. I play club hockey for a team, the Coyotes. I’m not close to being the best on that team.
Q: Chemistry is hard and you are going to major in it.
A: When I first moved here I didn’t know much English, but I could excel in math and science because (there is nothing to translate). I like working with numbers. Once I got into sports, I knew I never wanted to leave even when I couldn’t play anymore. Sports medicine is a great way to stay close. I’d like to work for a team at a college.
Q: Do you have a hobby?
A: I do a lot of black and white photography. I develop the pictures in a dark room with the chemicals. It takes a lot of time. I like to see the results. I photograph a lot of things. I often have people in the (frame). I like the (offbeat) style. I bribe my friends with pizza to be my models. I had a few photos in the Martin Luther King show at Dublin Coffman last year.
Q: You are well-rounded.
A: I’m never OK with doing nothing. I don’t watch a lot of television. That’s a waste of time. I’m president of the French Club, I’m a committee member in senate, and I’m in the cultural unity committee. I get sleepy tired but never tired of being active.