Student of Distinction
of senior-related issues. As a
member of the Student Association
she organizes and plans
myriad events that include blood
drives, and talent shows. During
her junior year she was Junior
Class President. In that capacity
she planned and implemented
fundraising event Pennies for
Patience, and toy drives.
Leadership also has a place
on the soccer pitch. Abbia is
Captain of the Soccer Team and
won Most Valuable Soccer Player
Award. She leads the team by
motivating, helping, and behaving
as a role model for the team.
She also enjoys participating on
the swim team.
As Editor-in-Chief of the school
newsletter she incorporates all
events in the school into the
newsletter, including family
nights, to keep students informed.
Under this umbrella also falls the
responsibility for editor-in-chief of
the school yearbook.
Another program she actively
participates in is Academy of
Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT).
Janiky Doobay, Esq, who teaches
Social Studies at Richmond
Hill H.S. explains, “The AOTH
program is a virtual business program
geared to teach students
business skills in a virtual classroom.”
Outside of high school, Dyuti
loves to sing, play guitar, ukulele,
and piano, and plans to learn the
violin in college. She performs at
Bangladeshi cultural events in her
community where she enjoys drama,
music, recitation, and dance
with the community group Desis
Rising Up and Moving (DRUM).
DRUM works with South Asian
and Indo-Caribbean communities
in the United States by helping
with immigration rights, workers’
rights and student rights.
Volunteerism is also a key
priority for our scholar. Through
DRUM, Abiba has led small
groups during community activities,
including Dhaba-Cito Natin.
As a leader within the Youth
Leadership Program she was
given the opportunity to learn
about the experiences of community
members through in-person
conversations.
Theater is an area wherein
self-expression has fl ourished.
Her parents enrolled her in
theater class when she was three.
When asked about her experience
in theater, Abiba enthuses,
“At fi rst theater was a hobby,
then it developed into a passion!”
She looks forward to continuing
her theater studies while at
Harvard.
When asked about the characteristics
that have supported
her success, Abiba says, “I am
not the smartest, not the most
talented, and not really the best
at anything, but I have given my
all into everything I’ve ever cared
about, and that is what defi nes
me.”
We look forward to learning
how her enthusiasm and dedication
shape her future at Harvard
and beyond.
By Bob Harris
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | FEB. 27-MARCH 5, 2020 9
SPONSORED BY
Abiba Imam Dyuti
February 2020
Richmond Hill High School
South Richmond Hill, NY
After living in America for only
three years, our Student of Distinction
navigated through high
school studies so successfully
that Harvard awarded her a full
scholarship. Senior Abiba Imam
Dyuti, a Bangladeshi-American,
accepted the scholarship and will
double major in Economics and
Political Science with a minor
in Theater. Harvard was not the
only select institute of study that
came calling: Rensselaer Polytechnic
also offered a $100,000
Renssaelaer Medal Scholarship.
Academic achievement
sowed its seeds upon her entry
at Richmond Hill High School.
Coursework is concentrated on
her many strengths – particularly
mathematics. For example,
not only has she completed AP
Calculus AB, she has continued
on to the advance program, Calculus
BC. She has also gained
credit for AP English Literature,
AP English Language and AP
World History. Earning high AP
test scores resulted in her being
awarded the AP Scholar Award,
which is presented to students
earning greater than 3 in three
AP classes.
With a 4.0 GPA, it is no
surprise to learn Abiba was
selected the school’s 2020 Valedictorian.
Kelly Fowler, College
Counselor, recalls, “I recognized
how exceptional Abiliba was by
My is
Abiba Imam Dyuti
her transcripts from Bangladesh
and her eagerness to begin her
academic career. While here,
she has surpassed her peers and
is ranked the number one student
in her class. She received a New
York State Academic Excellence
Scholarship. This accomplishment
is only awarded to top students in
the state.” In fact, only 8,000 NY
State Academic Excellence Scholarships
are awarded annually.
According to Fowler, Abiba
is a strong and confi dent leader.
Fowler states, “She is the daily
voice of Richmond Hill as she delivers
the morning announcements
and pledge of allegiance.”
Leadership skills are further
seen in her position as Senior
Class Secretary – for which
she assists with planning and
organizing all senior activities,
including Prom and Senior Assembly,
as well as collecting and
keeping track of senior dues, and
ensuring all seniors are informed
"#$%
!
/QNS.COM
