There are two guiding principles that Lafayette High School senior Ali Habib abides by: Be kind and be approachable.
As Beta Club president, member of the student council, athlete and academic leader, Habib said those are the two things that he’s focused on as he’s navigated high school. It’s helped him show others that he genuinely cares about their best interests.
“Building relationships with other people and caring about the other person is something I really tried to put a lot of effort into,” he said. “Being able to build those relationships now and in the future is what really fulfills your life overall.”
They’re qualities that helped Habib become one of eight high school finalists for the Louisiana Department of Education’s Students of the Year competition. The award annually recognizes a fifth, eighth and twelfth grade student for their leadership skills, character, academic achievement and service to his school and community.
“At the end of the day, whether I win or not, it really doesn’t matter because I feel like I’ve been able to not only represent myself but represent my school, my family and my community,” he said. “Just to be able to be one of those last few students has been a really nice experience.”
Lafayette High counselor Tessia Ozene said Habib is a great representation of the school and parish.
“It’s an honor to have him as a student,” she said. “It’s just the icing on the cake to have him represent us at this level.”
During his time at Lafayette High, Habib said he worked hard to improve himself. Every day he made choices that could strengthen his character, whether that was in the classroom, on the soccer field or in the swimming lane, or problem solving with other officers in Beta Club.
“I always put all my effort into everything I do because I feel like every opportunity that I have, if I can make the most of it, I can fulfill my potential,” he said. “Being able to see myself grow was really rewarding for me.”
Finding those passion areas and pursuing them with his entire self has helped him succeed, he said. He encouraged others to do the same.
His parents molded him into the considerate and approachable person he is, Habib said. They’ve pushed him to do and be his best.
“I wouldn’t be so hard working, I wouldn’t care so much about being nice and approachable if it wasn’t for them,” he said.
Habib has always had a knack for coding and problem-solving. It’s what’s pushed him to pursue computer engineering after graduation at Louisiana State University. He’s considered starting his own computer engineering firm in the future or becoming a university professor because of his love for teaching.
The Department of Education has not yet announced the Students of the Year winners. The original ceremony was delayed when severe weather passed through the state last week.