A 4.0 grade point average and a 1410 score on the SATs certainly distinguishes Asmaa Khatib from most of her high school peers ? though not necessarily those in her own home.
A recent graduate of Western School of Technology, Khatib, 18, was honored Tuesday as the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce?s 2006 Merit Scholar, an award that includes a full, four-year scholarship to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
“Yes, I?m very happy,” Khatib said after a ceremony at the Sports Legend Museum at Camden Yards. “The university is next door to my high school, 20 minutes from my house. But I?m going to live on campus. I?m looking forward to ?dorming.? ”
That Khatib is excited about the award ? worth $69,416 at current tuition costs?and will be attending the school where her older sister, Wafa (now studying medicine at the University of Virginia) graduated from in 2005 is understandable. How she was picked for the award over her twin sister, Bashraa, isn?t quite clear.
“She had a 4.0 grade point average, too, and the same SAT,” said Asmaa Khatib.
Exactly the same SAT score?
“Exactly.”
How about extracurricular and school activities?
“The same.”
Kara Calder, a spokeswoman for the school system and a new Chamber board member, said the award is among the most prestigious given to a county student. She said the education committee looks at the applications “blind” and is not even aware of the name of each student reviewed.
“Honestly, I don?t know why or how she was chosen over her sister,” Calder said “but it?s a very, very difficult selection process. We have many students who meet the criteria each year.”
Khatib, who was accompanied to the ceremony by her mother, Anisa Khatib, plans to study biology and follow her sister into medicine. Her father, Salim, is a pharmacist. Before starting at Western Tech in ninth grade, Khatib went to the public Roland Park Middle School with her twin before the family moved to Catonsville.
Khatib doesn?t have to worry about missing her best friend at UMBC because of her recent distinction ? the school has already offered Bashraa a full academic scholarship as well. The twins will be roommates and “dorm” together.
“Those two have always done very well in school, like their older sister,” their mother said. “The youngest, Aisha ? she?s nine ? I may have to worry about.”
