"I want to pursue a career in international relations," said the 17-year-old last week. "My preference would be to go to Georgetown, but I've also applied to Catholic University and George Washington. Going to school in Washington, D.C. would be the best place for me to secure internships in my field."
It seems like Alaween has a very bright future ahead of her. She's had a memorable past as well. Her resume reads like a ledger of volunteerism and selfless giving.
For six years, Alaween has raised money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society by participating in the organization's charity walk. She's volunteered for Special Olympics for two years. She's been a coach for the North Bergen Recreation Pom-Pom cheerleading (girls ages 4 to 6) squad for three years. She was a volunteer aide at the United States Veterans Wheelchair Olympics in New York in 2001, volunteered her time at the Jersey City Command Center and Ground Zero after the 9/11 tragedy, and volunteered her time at last year's Republican National Convention in New York.
If that wasn't enough, Alaween is also a dedicated Girl Scout, a long-time member of Troop 2380 in North Bergen. She's in her last year of scouting, already having received the highest award, the Gold Award, that a Girl Scout could attain.
Last year, she was at a Girl Scout function and she was introduced to Peggy Simpson-Baber, who runs the Simpson-Baber Foundation for autistic children.
"We just started talking and she said that she was interested in starting a Girl Scout troop for autistic girls in Bayonne," Alaween said. "I told her that I was interested in helping her."
Sure enough, Alaween had the wherewithal to find a meeting place (Midtown Community School) and the organizational skills to begin Hudson County's first-ever troop strictly for autistic girls. Even though she's still a Girl Scout herself, she became a troop leader.
"I helped the girls earn their badges and everything," Alaween said.
One good turn...
Not settling for one achievement, Alaween went one step further. Because her father hails from Jordan, she has always been in tune with those of Muslim faith. She also realized that the religion would not allow Islamic girls to attend Girl Scout meetings in a Catholic church (at Our Lady of Fatima, where Troop 2380 convenes), so Alaween started another Girl Scout troop, strictly for Islamic girls - 13 in all - at a mosque on 47th Street in North Bergen.
Because of her ingenious volunteer efforts, the Hudson-Essex Girl Scout Council nominated Alaween for the New Jersey Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Alaween has been named as a finalist for the award, which will be presented later this year.
The nationwide program, sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is to reach all 50 states and recognize the efforts of young people who give of their time, with the hope of stimulating other volunteer efforts throughout the country.
Last Wednesday, at the regular township Board of Commissioners meeting in her hometown, Alaween was presented with an official proclamation from Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the commissioners, who declared March 9, 2005 as the official Afifeh Alaween Prudential Spirit of Community Recognition Day in North Bergen.
"I was thrilled when I was nominated for the award, but I was even more thrilled when I was recognized by Mayor Sacco and the commissioners," Alaween said. "It's a very big honor. Coming from Mayor Sacco, who does so much for kids, it really means a lot to me."
Sacco was thrilled to be able to honor Alaween.
"The volunteers are the unsung heroes of our community, but Afifeh goes way beyond just volunteering," Sacco said. "She's a role model to others because of all she's done. When you see a young woman like her, an exemplary student, going beyond what is considered the norm in terms of giving of herself, you have to recognize it. She's going to be one who makes this world a better place."
Active student
John Shahdanian, a partner at the Secaucus-based law firm of Chasan, Leyner and Lamparello, which represents the township, said that he has known Alaween personally since she was a little girl. He was on hand for the presentation Wednesday.
"I've watched her grow up into a fine young woman," Shahdanian said. "She may become the next mayor of North Bergen."
Alaween is also active at High Tech High School as well. She is the president of the French Club and a member of the school's group on Political Awareness. She is also the chairperson of the graduation committee for the Class of 2005.
She also once was chosen to participate in national Girl Scout camp for physically/mentally challenged girls, the Juliette Low National Girl Scout Camp in Missouri. Alaween was one of 30 girls chosen from all over the country to participate.
Needless to say, this is a rising star in the community, one that is finally getting the recognition she deserves.
"I'm just really thrilled by it all," Alaween said.
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