NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. MNPS Virtual School is pleased to announce our 2022 Valedictorian—Ahmed Alnassari! Dr. Kelby Garner, Executive Principal, notes, "I knew Ahmed was a terrific student when I first met him over six years ago! He has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge matched with a warm and respectful personality. It has been a joy to watch Ahmed grow into the incredible scholar and leader he is today. I know he will make a difference in the world because he has a strong work ethic and family support. Ahmed is not only our Valedictorian, but also a 15-year-old senior in high school and soon to be junior in college!"
Upon graduating from MNPS Virtual School, Ahmed Alnassari plans to continue enrollment at Middle Tennessee State University to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a double minor in Chemistry and Arabic. This fall semester, Ahmed will be classified as a Junior and has already completed 58 credits at MTSU through the Dual-Enrollment program and serves on numerous research teams at the university. Ahmed has a 4.0 GPA and has been on the Dean's List at MTSU every semester since 2020.
Ahmed shares, “Throughout the past two years at MTSU through the Dual Enrollment program, I have grown so much. A foot and a half to be exact! Not only have I learned but I have grown. I have traveled with research teams, advocated for rights, helped physicians in Honduras, and I am currently planning to study abroad in Iraq for Fall 2022. MTSU has given me so many options and ways to learn. This is why I chose to continue at MTSU. Plus, it is great having my triplet siblings and mom by my side every day.”
For his achievements at MTSU, Ahmed and his family were featured on People.com, click here to access the article.
As well as News Channel 5 for his research at the university. Click here to learn more.
Ahmed is a servant leader and gives back to the community. He is the co-founder and treasurer of the MTSU Student Organization Al-Wahda "A United Muslim Association" where they look at ways to create inclusion and diversity on campus and in the community. With Al-Wahda, he helped organize the Festival of Veils which showcased the head-covering of 15 different religions including Islam, Christianity, and Catholicism. For this event, he was awarded the National Women's History Month Award for 2022. Click here for the article.
Ahmed also serves on the committee for TN Girls in Stem where he supports his sisters and all young women who choose to get degrees in STEM fields. Ahmed is a member of medical brigades where he was able to assist physicians in Honduras!
Ahmed is an avid researcher at MTSU and currently serves on three research teams at the university. He was awarded the URECA undergraduate research grant for his work in ginsenoside extraction methods. Ahmed is also researching Jujube tree propagation methods, Carbon Grow organic fertilizers, and metabolomics with the chemistry department. Ahmed also had the privilege of adventuring on multiple research trips into the Appalachian Mountains!
Ahmed is scheduled to study abroad in Fall 2022 in Iraq where he hopes to gain a plethora of cultural and linguistic experience. Ahmed shared, “I want to experience everything there is in life so that I can have a deeper understanding of who I am and why I chose to do what I do. One needs passion and determination to be successful and those things will not come to you. You must go out and experience life so that you can grow in passion and knowledge.”
When asked, what advice would you give to other MNPS Virtual School students? Ahmed shared, “In order to be someone, you must do something. If you never step outside your comfort zone, then how will you know what you are great at? When I started MTSU at thirteen, I was terrified because everyone was so much older and more experienced, but I decided that I would not be afraid. I would speak up and try new things. I would create programs and make a difference in my community. I think my two years at MTSU have empowered me to be stronger and work harder, so do not let fear hold you back!”
Ahmed realizes the success he is experiencing is not due to his accomplishments but also from family support. When asked, who would you like to thank for helping you reach this milestone, Ahmed shared, “My mother, Khadijah Alnassari. Ever since I can remember, my mother has always taken care of me and tried to make me the best person that I can be. From kindergarten to college, she has supported me the whole way and helped whenever she could. Even though my mother could have easily dropped me off at school and followed her own dreams, she decided to put me first and homeschool me from elementary to high school, teaching me everything she knows. To clarify, she had to learn the subject with me and break it down for me to get a better understanding. And to top it off, she goes to college with me and still is always there for me, even when I am away from home. My relationship with my mother will last forever, and I hope I can finish my educational career with her. All I want to say to her is thanks for everything she has done for me, even though I can't ever thank her enough.”
Finally, Ahmed is also a recipient of the following scholarships: MTSU Presidential Scholarship, TN Aspire Scholarship, TN Hope Scholarship, and the Lindsey Vonn Scholarship.
Ahmed earned the following awards: URECA Undergraduate Research Award and the 2022 National Women's History Month Trailblazer Award.
MNPS Virtual School's 11th Annual Graduation Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The ceremony will begin at 1:00 PM in the Sadler Auditorium at The Cohn School to celebrate the accomplishment of Ahmed and all our MNPS Virtual School graduates.
ABOUT MNPS VIRTUAL SCHOOL. MNPS Virtual School is Tennessee's first, highest-achieving virtual school. MNPS Virtual School combines rigorous academics with a variety of educational programs, learning experiences, instructional approaches, and academic-support strategies addressing the unique needs, interests, aspirations, and backgrounds of our diverse population of students—creating an extraordinary online learning experience.