Senior Spotlight: Ibrahim Khalil

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

I came to PVS in 7th grade. In my free time I like to run; I usually try to get up at 7am on weekends to run around my neighborhood. If I’m not running I’ll be listening to music. I also just got into cooking simple dishes such as chicken alfredo or spaghetti meatballs.

How has COVID-19 impacted your senior year?

COVID has been pretty rough on my senior year, having the entirety of the first semester online for school. However, this time was also a blessing in disguise, allowing me time to work on college applications and essays. I was still able to enjoy times with my friends either talking on the phone or occasional small get-togethers.

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

I think the worst thing about being a senior is the lingering feeling that stays in your body all throughout the year. That feeling that once you accept that diploma and send that graduation cap flying in the air, the people you’ve known for years will become less present in your life. However, this worst thing also helped me realize the best part. The best part is that with the limited time I have with these people, I must cherish it more. The time constraint made me realize rather than worrying about the end, I value the present, the time I do have left with everyone. To add on with the best, I realized that highschool is an amazing time for self-growth, making possible life-long friends, and educating yourself, but this isn’t even the beginning of what life has to offer. I want to leave this school and making a change in life and leaving is just the first step.

What do you hope to accomplish throughout or by the end of your senior year?

I want to set a precedent with my mental health advocacy club. If the goals of the club aren’t fully accomplished this year, I wish to make some sort of impact on at least one individual so the club can carry on to next year.

Who is your biggest hero/role model and why?

My biggest role model would definitely be my brother, for his sense of independence. He wanted to pay for his car in full, so he got a job and did it. He chooses to study for his exams rather than go out with his friends. He saved up money when he was only 17 to buy our mom a gold necklace for mother’s day. He doesn’t rely on others to get things accomplished. He wants it done so he ensures it by doing it himself. If I could be half the man he is, I will be over content.

What will you miss most about your time at PVS?

I will miss the sense of family that PVS creates. Not only is it an Islamic community but also a small-knit community ensuring that you’ll have a good relationship with even the principal. It’s rare for a school to combine strict education with a sense of homeliness. The easy access to teachers when you have a question about an assignment is just as simple as going down the hall and them instantly recognizing you since they’ve probably been your teacher for the last several years. PVS ensures we as students have that freedom and independence to grow while teaching us what that responsibility means in an Islamic and educational sense.

What are your plans for college/after graduation?

I wish to attend college and major in political science and economics, in hopes of getting into law school and becoming a lawyer. I want to combine my interests in the legal field and economics and perhaps become a legal consultant for big companies- or even better, become an economic adviser to international organizations such as the WTO or UN. Of course these are huge goals and they require hard work in my college years.

What advice do you have for the underclassmen?

Advice I would give is, yes have fun and enjoy your time in high school, however, don’t allow temporary pleasure to compromise your future. Start applying to internships and volunteer opportunities, take science fairs and NHD seriously. Because they might seem trivial now but once you start applying to colleges you want to stand out to the top prestigious schools and you can only do that if you start the hard work now. Don’t delay it and procrastinate because trust me it will come back to hurt you.