A math phenom, a celebrated artist, a varsity swimmer and water polo player, a Latin and Greek scholar, a Harvard Book Prize winner—what an amazing group of teens, right? Wrong. That list describes just one of our 2024 Teens to Watch. Andrew Tu, the teen in question (the question being: How on earth?), might feel special for the mention here, but honestly, all of these ten superstars are a multihyphenates of mind-boggling proportions. And not only do they do it all, they do it all with heart.
They build computers from scratch, start robotics clubs for younger kids and help the elderly with tech tasks. They go to Juilliard on weekends, break Guinness Book records and raise tens of thousands of dollars for children in need. They conduct sophisticated scientific research with college professors, publish in scholarly journals and break down barriers in sports.
In short, they give us hope. Read on to be reassured that the future of our community and the planet is in good hands.
SALMA BADR
Greenwich High School
Salma Badr has been an active volunteer in her community and a role model for young people, whether at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Greenwich High School’s Help for the Homeless or the Islamic Cultural Center of New York. The shy girl who moved here from Brooklyn in the fourth grade would be in awe of the leader and public speaker she has become.
“My parents enrolled me in the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich when we moved here in 2016,” says Salma. “Since I didn’t speak much and was considered shy, they put me into programs at the Club like swimming and the summer program in an effort for me to make friends. At first, I was so self-conscious that I would ‘never’ find friends—you know how dramatic kids can be—but after only a couple weeks, I met my very first friend in Greenwich, thanks to the staff at the Club introducing me to her and making sure I wasn’t alone during the daily activities.”
Salma returned that kindness many times over in the years to come, as a Torch and then Keystone member, giving her time to tutor younger members, assist them with homework, and help at community-wide events, such as Greenwich Green and Clean paper recycling, Greenwich Green & Clean clean-up at Greenwich Point, Abilis dances and Midnight Run to support New York City’s homeless population.
Salma was a candidate for the 2024 Youth of the Year, alongside her victorious sibling. “My brother applied last year and invited me to the dinner as his plus-one,” she says. “At the dinner, I heard all the candidates’ reasons for applying and their dreams, and it inspired me to reflect on my own. I made a decision on the spot that I would apply the following year. It was a great experience, and I’m so proud of my brother for winning. He is definitely deserving.”
Salma was a member of Greenwich High School’s Help for the Homeless Club and a volunteer Sunday School teacher at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York. She also participated in volleyball and soccer, the AVID college readiness program, Middle Eastern Club and Girls With Impact.
Salma was the recipient of a Boys & Girls’ Club scholarship, which has been life changing.
“After my financial aid packages started to roll in, and I realized I don’t have tens of thousands of dollars to pay for college, I thought my only option was community college, despite having always dreamed of dorming at a college,” explains Salma. “I thought I would have to give up on that dream.”
Thanks to this financial boost, she is now a freshman at Quinnipiac University, pursuing a nursing degree.
Q&A
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
The greatest challenge I’ve overcome was an insecurity of not feeling important to others. This has delayed me in numerous aspects of my life as a child—a huge part being that I simply did not speak. felt like others wouldn’t care to hear my words, and therefore I just shouldn’t say anything. This caused me to not make many friends, but when I came to Greenwich, things changed. I was enrolled at the Club, where you have to talk to the other kids, and the staff there encouraged me to speak up. They would ask me questions about myself, and it made me feel cared about, enough to eventually get out of my shell. Now I’m even labeled as “outgoing” and “optimistic.”
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
Everything will fall into place.
which TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
Ms. Lentz, my seventh-grade English teacher at Western Middle School. She helped me get rid of my resistance to excelling at school and become a more open-minded person. She was persistent and determined for me to succeed. Eventually I accepted her help and did a full 180 in school. I’m forever grateful for her.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
Everything happens for a reason.