Tennis Legend Among US

By Omar Zahran

Name: Rafik Abbas Zaher
Born: April 11, 1991
Hometown: Alexandria, Egypt
Plays: Right-Handed (Double-Handed Backhand)
Height: 172 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Hair Color: Brownish-Yellow
Eye Color: Blue
Hobbies: Soccer, Tennis, PS2

Rafik is a self-motivated player and is always trying to reach the best of his abilities as a tennis player. He attended a tennis school in California last year and tried to make the best use of his time and to enhance his skills and techniques. He stated, "It was a good experience, but it was a bit hard." He also noted that there was not that much difference between Schutz and the other school, but as far as tennis is concerned he confirmed, "It is TOTALLY different”.

Rafik has won two titles for his school in the U.S. He benefited also from the fact that he was living in the school's dorm to become more independent.

Rafik is playing for the Alexandria Sporting Club after his return from the U.S. He goes everyday to the club to practice for hours and hours. He is currently a junior in Schutz American School, eager to receive a scholarship from a reputable university in the U.S. where he will later be discovered by a scout and achieve his dream of playing professional tennis and participating in all the four Grand Slams.

Go eat at the yummiest places in town:

1. Four Seasons
2. Friday's
3. Chilli's
4. Ole
5. KOI

Is she what she says she is?

By Seif Zahran

Gelan Badr is a girl whom everyone says is shy. Is she? Interviewing Gelan was not as hard as I expected. She might truly be shy, but when talking to her you realize that she is not. Gelan has been at Schutz for five years. She left Schutz for a period of time and went to CAC (Cairo American College), but she found that there was nothing like Schutz. Therefore, when her father’s work required another move, she was happy to go back to where she belonged.
Has she seen any changes since she was gone? No, was her answer. Things were pretty much the same, may be just a few paint jobs around the corner but things have not changed a bit. Gelan who gives the impression that she does not like school much, states, “Oh it’s just insane just to tell you all the things I will miss! It will take forever!” That itself tells us a lot. Not only does Gelan love Schutz, she loves the students, the teachers, and the workers, for everyone treats each other as siblings here.
Gelan is always referred to as a shy girl. She is always quiet and very peaceful. When I asked her why that is she simply said, “It’s just because I don’t get a chance to show my personality. I’m not quiet; it’s only in school, but outside I’m something else!” Well people, next time you talk to her, give her the chance to show who she really is!
Gelan has very good friends, including Tatiana whose way of laughing is the thing Gelan will miss most when she leaves Schutz.
After school there is college, the next big step in life, what will she do? She is taking her best friend, Karine Aziz, with her. Both of them have agreed to take the next step in life helping and supporting each other. They believe they have lots of potential, and that they will succeed in college. They plan to attend the Arab Academy for Science and Technology in Alexandria, hoping to be accepted in Engineering. We will all miss Gelan, and we all wish her great luck to fulfill all the plans she has for life!

Roba's Diaries

Is it Worth Being in Love?

By Roba Mahfouz
Special to The 83rd


Is falling in love and having boyfriends really the same? If it is the same, does every couple really experience true love? How can you know that it is worth being with this guy? Nowadays, all I hear from couples about relationships are problems. From the repetition of these instances, it became very normal for guys and girls to break up and some see it as “being cool”. Some sensitive people can be affected by a relationship, and their academic performance decreases. They sometimes even get depressed.
One of the interesting problems I heard about was a girl that loved a guy from the first sight. He too had feelings for her, but he never showed it. They talked as friends, but he was treating her as if she was special. This made the girl understand that he loved her, and she became more attached to him. Day after day, the relationship began to grow, and she was completely attached to him. Then came a week when she traveled, and they did not talk at all. When she came back, he showed her how much he had missed her. After a few weeks, he completely turned 180 degrees and became another person. When she asked if he had loved her before, his answer was, “I have always treated you as my sister”.
It was a huge shock for her, and she became depressed. She realized that after all that she still loved him and still had some faith and hope that one day he would come to her and ask her out. So is it worth waiting for that guy? Can he really be trusted? Does love really make a person that blind?

Arts + Sciences = Suraj

By Shereen Hassan

A creative and critical thinker with a true artistic talent, Suraj Baadkar stands out. He may give the impression that he is an average guy, but he is one with many talents. He is the President of the senior class, and he is one of the nicest people one would see on campus.
Suraj has been at Schutz since the 11th grade. Schutz is the platform that allowed him to excel. Being a senior makes him feel very responsible, “As we are the seniors it tends to be everywhere in any fields that seniors are looked upon as role models” said Suraj. He wishes to study either Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering. His dad is his inspiration. His dream college is MIT, but his current option is India. About ten years from now, he wishes to see himself working with a software company.
Suraj is a unique person who is good at both arts and sciences. He likes to draw, and he is very good at it, but it is just last year that he discovered that he could draw portraits. He even received a special pin that was given to him last year by Mr. Al for Arts. On the Fine Arts Night, four of his art works were sold. Not only is he good at drawing, but he is also a good writer. “When I feel something, I like to write about it”, said Suraj. His poems are one of a kind. He is a very talented person, and he likes to do other things. He loves music. He has played two percussion instruments since 6th grade, the Congo and Tumba.
Suraj will miss many things in Schutz. “My close friends, they know who they are, and some teachers who have motivated me and guided me through my time in Schutz,” said Suraj. He will also miss the many moments he spent in front of the library on the White Tables.
Suraj wishes to achieve many things in life, but most of all he said “ I wish to bring happiness to others in life.” Not many people really think of the others, everything is usually centered on themselves. Suraj adds “The world is my country, its citizens are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”
For the juniors, Suraj says “If you want something you never had, do something you’ve never done”. Suraj will be leaving Schutz this year and trust me he will be missed by all. His warm personality and creativity are two traits that will be most missed.

Confident Woman

By Aya Kordy

“If it were my ideal world, I would own an empire of hotels.” What a unique dream for an eighteen year old! She has her pros and cons, ups and downs, she is like every other person yet one of a kind.
She likes to be responsible and tell people what to do. She has been her class president for two years, secretary for one year, and treasurer for one year. Her history in Schutz for the past twelve years stands out.
Laila Afifi is a senior Schutz student. She began her school year in Schutz twelve years ago, and now she is ending it in the same place. As I interviewed Laila I realized how much Schutz influenced her whole life. Laila wishes to attend college in the United Kingdom, specifically the University of Warwick. She wishes to major in International Relations, International Business, or Business Law. Laila has not yet pictured her future as a whole; she likes to take it “one day at a time.” Nevertheless, there is one thing she knows, she said confidently “I don’t know what exactly I want to be, but what ever it is, I‘d like to be good at it.” As we all know, Laila has a very firm personality. She rarely ever shows her weak side, as a matter of fact she never does. Out of curiosity, I decided to know what her weakness could be. Smiling at my question, she sighed, “When I have an idea of my own and I strongly believe in it and somebody plays it down”.
Laila will miss “everything in Schutz” and added “I’ll miss that everybody knows everybody and everything.” Laila had her own thoughts that she wishes to share with the school. “I have been at Schutz for twelve years. I remember practicing with Greg for the winter program, standing in the
front row because I was one of the youngest students. Now I stand in the back of the room, with twelve years behind me. I know that the next step is out of the door, outside of Schutz. The thought that it is finally coming to an end is both scary and exhilarating. Schutz has been more than a family to me. I hope that everyone may have this wonderful opportunity as I did!”
Laila Afifi’s name will no longer be in Schutz’s enrollment list after this year; nevertheless, it will always be part of its history.

Welcome Back!

By Suraj Baadkar

One of the traditional kick start events of Schutz American school's academic year is its welcome back party hosted by the members of staff for the students. This year it was held on the 30th of August. The new staff members were excited to see the happenings of this event and the returning staff members were excited to meet their students after a great summer break.
But year after year the event is losing its importance. Every year the student count for this event is decreasing. This year figures of high school students attending the event were countable on fingers. More than 75% of the students that attended were in grades 5th through 8th though the event was successful and well organized. The pool was open for the whole evening, the table-tennis tables were set up, the volleyball nets were set up and there was also music in the second half of the event. The canteen provided refreshments and snacks. Overall I think the event has achieved its main motto of casual interaction between the staff and the students.
The 83rd staff interviewed some teachers and students who attended the event. The most common answer to the question "What do you think of hosting such an event?" was "The event is very creative as in terms of interaction between students and staff outside the class instruction area, but more students were expected to attend this event. Some of the best quotes of the evening were by by Mr. McCright who stated, "Finally, myself and Mr. Spencer realized today, due to this event, that we are getting old. We have the skills and techniques to play basketball but our body does not co-ordinate. Therefore we are mentally going strong but physically getting older."
Altogether it was a wonderful evening spent on campus amidst laughter, smiles on the faces and a cool breeze. This event has made the bond between students and teachers stronger. With an ending note on the event, the members of staff quoted, "Hope there will be more students next year and in the years to come, we are glad to host such events."