Schools

West Bloomfield Senior Wins First Prize at Excellence in Education Awards

West Bloomfield senior Seif Saqallah was recognized by the Oakland Schools Intermediate School District for being an inspiration to others as well as his academic success.

West Bloomfield High School senior and blind wrestler Seif Saqallah took home first place at the annual Excellence in Education Awards, sponsored by The Oakland Press and the Oakland Schools Intermediate School District.

The program, now in it 21st year, honors Oakland County's top high school seniors as well as innovative programs at schools throughout the county, according to a report in The Oakland Press.

To receive the award, student must be nominated by their high school counselors. According to The Oakland Press, Seif not only has a 3.9 grade point average, but is taking four advanced placement courses and wrestles with the West Bloomfield High School wresting team — even though he's totally blind.

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"He's an inspiration to others," West Bloomfield wrestling coach Greg Alessi told Patch in 2012. "(Saqallah) is a great teammate, great kid to have around."

Recognized as the United States Association of Blind Atheletes' Athlete of the Year, Saqallah has only been wrestling since his junoir year in high school.

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"He's fearless," his teammate Christian Velez said. 

Saqallah is also a member of the West Bloomfield Law Club and French Club, and volunteers as a translator. He says he wants to be an international lawyer.

"He has been a shining example of overcoming personal challenges," West Bloomfield counselor Lisa Reeves said in her nomination.  

Tying for second place in the Excellence in Education Awards was Groves High School' Ellen Kathleen Searle and Walled Lake Central High School's Michael Turner. 

Meanwhile, winning in the innovative school programs category was the Acadmic Booster Council from Lake Orion's Webber Elementary School, the Art and Math Integration at the Detroit Institute of Arts program at Birmingham's Beverly Elementary, and the PEER LINK program at Clawson Middle School.


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