2018 Portland High School
$2500 Biddeford Savings Bank Mainely Character Scholarship
She builds bridges between Islamic and American cultures.
Habso came to Portland from a refugee camp in Kenya at just 6 years old. Despite language and cultural barriers, she threw herself into learning. Now she plans to pursue a career in science and support other students of color in becoming scientists. She volunteers at Maine Medical Center during the summer, working with geriatric patients, in the maternity ward, and the ER. She tutors in the Summer of Science program, helping students who do not have access to summer programs. She served as a leader at Portland High School on the Civil Rights Team. Although she knows that Muslim-Americans can be targeted, she proudly wears her hijab, noting that it gives her the strength to act ethically and speak up when needed. Habso enrolled at Smith College, eager to develop her leadership skills at an all-female college.