[safiq10]

Now that championships are done I'm very curious on how to become a deans list winner? What were your essays like, how was the interview, and what did you do? Know this thread is to better prepare each other to build deans list students in every member of FIRST. So feel free to share your essays even if you were nominated.

Also I am posting my essay so could some critique it and give me some points to improve on? Thank you!

Safiq encapsulates the FIRST qualities of cooperation and gracious professionalism through his zeal for FIRST, his exemplary leadership, and his passion for helping others.
There is not a single work day where Safiq is not bursting with energy. He brings a unification to the team with his fun spirit, whether he is dancing to a song or singing as he works. His contagious laughter and enthusiasm makes him everyone’s best friend, a homework tutor, and a positive spirit. He provides helpful knowledge that he accumulates from his activeness on Chief Delphi, he is also able resolve many strifes on our team using the knowledge he gains.
His unrivaled commitment is seen in his dedication to FIRST. This season, Safiq lead a group of 5 students in writing the team’s first Chairman Award. His devotion to FIRST was tested when two days before the essay and executive summary were due, Safiq and the team realized they had written the executive summary incorrectly. He rewrote the entire summary in a single night so that his team could have something to use as a fundamental base for their essay.
A strong believer in outreach; Safiq became one of our main presenters at outreach events. He was able to grow as a presenter due to his high involvement with FRC. He started out nervous when talking to others, but through mentorship and guidance he is now able to give solo presentation to families, sponsors, and schools interested in robotics. He helped set up one of our big events at the Waco Engineering Fair, where he presented the robot to approximately 1,000 teens from the surrounding county about STEM and FRC. He was even able to draw one of our biggest sponsors, Waco Optimist Club from this event.
Safiq demonstrates exemplary leadership both in and outside of FIRST. He has completely transfigured our business and fundraising portion of the team. In a single year he has helped raised $11,000 with a team of 5. He also has done multiple solo presentation to the company Shark Wheels and to Texas A&M University. Outside of FIRST he is our school NJHS president and helped raise $2500 for the American Cancer Society. Also he is the leader of his local mission trips from his local mosque, where he organized a 1 week mission trip to Miami for 25 students.
One of his passions is to help others. Safiq is currently mentoring two rookie FLL teams; a future team from Robinson Jr. High and team 13870 Woodway Wired Wizards. He devoted his time to the Woodway Wired Wizards and helped them win a 1st place champions award. He aided the team in bring their project to life. He assisted the team in contacting Scholastic Press about starting a program to help rebuild libraries that have destroyed by natural disasters. Scholastic Press was interested in the idea and the team now is awaiting approval from the rest of the board on whether their idea will go national.
His passion for helping others and furthering himself are greatly shown when he volunteers at a yearly local robotics camp held by Texas State Technical College, a local college. He acted as a mentor for over 15 teens by showing the correct way to wire a robot, different engineering techniques, and other STEM related activities. He is an active member on our schools Math team and has been pursuing to learn the arabic language outside of school for the past 6 years. He maintains a 4.0 GPA and despite only being a sophomore, he is taking a college level course with an instructor at a local college.
Safiq’s passion for FIRST and STEM is unwavering, but what sets him apart is his gracious professionalism. Safiq aspires to one day have a double major in engineering and business and mentor an FRC team so he can continue to inspire others in STEM careers, but ultimately he wishes to have the opportunity to work at the FIRST HQ, as a member for the GDC, so he can continue to change the lives of teenagers all around world.