Senior Spotlight: Deenat Yusuf

1. Tell me about yourself. When did you come to PVS? What are your hobbies and interests?

My parents enrolled me in Pre-K the same year we moved to Memphis. PVS is the only school I’ve attended so far and I enjoyed every part of it. I have 2 sisters and a brother and my hobbies include ice skating, biking, video editing, and baking, but I would love to learn how to swim.

2. How has COVID-19 impacted your senior year?

Because of virtual schooling, we’re missing out on the last year of activities we could have participated in if we attended in-person schooling. We didn’t know our junior year would be our last year in person in school. As most people would agree, we are all looking forward to a typical graduation ceremony so InshaAllah that could make up for our senior year.

3. What is the worst and best thing about being a senior?

The worst part of being a senior is realizing that the decisions you make as a senior will impact your future and career later on so choose wisely! Also, this is our last year before you’re considered an ‘adult’ in the real world so you should make the best of it. The best part of being a senior is that you are one step closer to choosing a career that you absolutely enjoy doing.

4. Who is your biggest hero/role model and why?

My biggest role model is the Prophet Muhammed (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Despite being persecuted and threatened by the people at his time, there is no one else that cared for their ummah like him. He treated everyone equally regardless of their background, and gave us the biggest blessing of Islam. He was honored and respected, yet he lived the most humble and simplistic life. We should all aspire to be like him InshaAllah.

5. What will you miss most about your time at PVS?

As mentioned earlier, PVS is the only school I have attended and I see that as a blessing. There are actually benefits of PVS being a small school because we all know each other and it feels like a community. Most of the time, colleges always take pride in a small student to teacher ratio which we already have here at PVS. I am definitely going to miss the community-like feel at PVS.

6. What are your plans for college/after graduation?

My plans are to pursue a pre-med track in college.

7. What advice do you have for the underclassmen?

Take your studies seriously especially in high school because GPA comes into play in almost anything you apply for. Use your time wisely because you only have one set of high school years. Once you get older and into college, you will start to have less and less time on your hands so take advantage of things you would like to accomplish now. Generally speaking, it’s okay for you to be unsure of what you would like to major in, but if you’re not sure yet, try to figure out what interests you. That will save you a lot of time in college. I would also encourage students to memorize as much Quran as possible and study Islam because you’re truly tested once you leave PVS. Finally, above all, do everything for the sake of Allah, and everything else will go smoothly.