Sana Syeda Ahmed, 2012 Seymour Award Finalist

Kim Nguyen, CSF adviser of Chapter 1313s at Segerstrom High School, says of Sana, 'At all times I have found Sana to be honest, compassionate, and most importantly unique." Sana has been a valuable member of CSF, working hard to improve the chapter and to increase member involvement in club activities, such as the children's outreach program at the Pacific Symphony, collecting canned goods for the Salvation Army and recycling for the world water project. Says Ms. Nguyen, "Her presence motivates other students to try harder."

Drama Director, Kysa Cohen, describes Sana as "one of the most real and honorable people I have ever met." Ms. Cohen has witnessed Sana display nothing but "trustworthiness, honesty and self-sufficiency in her dealings with other students, as well as other staff members," and has enjoyed teaching and working alongside Sana for the duration of her high school career.

In her personal essay, Sana reveals her dream of having her own talk show, through which she can "spread her philosophies on education and life." She tells us that her inspiration comes from author and activist Greg Mortenson, whose book Three Cups of Tea have motivated Sana to spend the second half of her life building schools in less fortunate areas of the world, as Mortenson has. Having applied to universities such as Chapman, UC Irvine, CSU Long Beach and University of Southern California, Sana looks forward to studying Broadcast Journalism in pursuit of her dream.