Turlock High seniors Abdulrahim Abdulrahim and Hamasa Mashal have much in common.
Both are the oldest of four children, and both have parlayed success in the classroom into scholarships at major universities. Abdulrahim will attend UC Santa Barbara, where he plans to major in mechanical engineering, and Mashal is headed to Duke University in Durham, N.C., where she will enter the pre-med program. And both knew virtually no English when they left their homelands, making their academic success all the more impressive.
They shared their personal stories at Turlock Unified School District’s Family Information Night, held Thursday at Pitman High School for newcomer and refugee families.
Articulate and confident speakers, the pair delivered keynote addresses to a crowd of nearly 100 in the PHS cafeteria, where a dinner of chicken tikka, chana masala, basmati rice, salad, lavash bread, and desserts.
The students also have something else in common. Each experienced firsthand the violence of their native countries.
A native of Syria, Abdulrahim was just a young boy when the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011. He was hit by shrapnel in his left leg and foot.
“My dad also was hit by a bomb,” said Abdulrahim. “Our family grew really tired of what was going on and, due to that, we moved to Turkey in 2015.”
The family remained in Turkey until immigrating to the U.S. in 2023.
Mashal, riding in a car with her father and brother, was shot at by Taliban gunmen, who mistook them for police. After finding refuge at a neighbor’s house, they were able to see how close the bullets came to hitting them.
“We found several bullets where I had been sitting in car,” said Mashal. “That motivated us to come to the U.S., because of the direct danger to our lives.”
Ultimately, the students have this in common: they hope their stories can inspire others to reach for their dreams.
“I do hope so,” said Abdulrahim. “When I really think about it, I think my story could mean something to people.”
“Whenever I do something, I think of the opportunities that I’ve been given and I think of the girls back in Afghanistan,” said Mashal. “Education doesn’t exist there anymore for women. I feel like my story can be an inspiration. If you put in the hard work and try your best, something good will come of it.”
Resources for newcomer or refugee families are available from International Rescue Committee (209-667-2378), El Concilio (209-338-5712), and the Valley Watch Network Hotline (559-206-0151) to report ICE activities and connect with immediate support.
