The Dare to Dream program finished its inaugural year with a graduation party on Jun 14. Three scholarships were awarded to participating seniors that will be used as they continue their academic pursuits. The program was born out of a conversation between Forrest Alexander, a B5 volunteer, and Abed Alsousi, a B5 student, and aims to provide opportunities for high school juniors and seniors to develop goals, explore different career pathways, and make connections in the local business community. Abed explained, “John McCoy told me that Forrest was a successful businessman and that he could be an advisor. I spoke with Forrest, and he said to collect friends and we would create a group.”
Over the span of eight months, students developed their own vision and mision for the program, wrote out their dreams and then took those dreams and made them actionable goals, and met with local business leaders to hear their stories. Abed said the program “expanded the students’ networks and help them achieve the steps towards their goals.” He also mentioned the scholarships! Students visited both Columbia Basin College and WSU Tri-Cities to see what the campuses were like, to learn about resources available to students, and get an idea of whether the school was a good fit for their future.
Abed, the student who helped create the program, was born in Syria and left when he was five or six years old. His family lived in Jordan for ten years before being relocated to Kennewick on May 6, 2022. Abed became connected to B5 Learning Center just a month after arriving. He did not know any English when he arrived, but that didn’t stop him from diving right in and he graduated from Richland High School in June 2024. You can read more about his family’s journey to America here, but Abed is only looking towards his bright future.
Currently working as a student intern at ESD 123, Abed’s work includes helping set up summer programs and translating for some students and families that have trouble connecting with the school districts. “I do everything!” says Abed. Maria, a Migrant Student Advocate from ESD 123, recommended Abed for the internship. Not only is he working for ESD123, he also was awarded a scholarship in May 2024 from the Migrant Program for $1000.
Abed will attend Columbia Basin College beginning in September 2024. His plan is to complete two years and then transfer to WSU Pullman to complete his mechanical engineering degree. When asked why he wants to pursue a mechanical engineering degree he said, “I like to work on engines and my dad is a mechanic and would take me to work and I have always worked around engines, and I really enjoy it.”
During his time at CBC Abed will work in their Ambassador Program. Ambassadors need to be friendly and outgoing people to represent CBC and Abed had applied and since he didn’t hear back right away he mostly forgot about it. But one day Abed saw Forrest at a Cultural Lunch at Richland High. Forrest and Melanie Casciato, Director for Student Recruitment at CBC, surprised Abed at the lunch and let him know that he had been accepted into the program. Next year, you will see Abed giving tours on CBC’s campus and representing the school in the community. Also, as a member of the Ambassador Program, Abed’s tuition will be paid in full by the school.
