At-Large $6000 Need-Based Scholarship Recipient
Tariq is a 2018 graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore, Maryland. He plans to attend Widener University, a private coeducational university located in Chester, Pennsylvania, to pursue a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering.
Tariq transferred to Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) high school for the 2017- 2018 school year. He was seeking a challenging academic environment that would prepare him for college. His desire to become the first member of his family to graduate from college motivates him to succeed every day. He is described by a Poly select teacher as an honest, intelligent, courteous young man predicted to perform well in college and beyond. “He has consistently outperformed his classmates and impressed the staff with his diligence.” He is rated excellent in both attendance and citizenship by his counselor. The academic standards at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute are very demanding; however, Tariq transitioned well to the rigorous curriculum. He completed high school with seven credits above the state requirement. Tariq was also a high achiever at his former high school, Randallstown High, and demonstrated the same strong work habits and motivation at Poly, He is a highly motivated, success-driven individual.
Tariq was very involved in extra -curricular activities while at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He was Captain of the Football Team and a leading force on that team, for which he was honored as Scholar Athlete for the Great American Rivalry Series and presented a scholarship. He was additionally a member of the Wrestling Team- awarded Wrestler of the Month, the Baseball team, Marching Band, Orchestra Band, Chess Club, Dance Club and the Comic Book Club. His easy-going personality and respectful attitude allowed him to connect easily with peers and staff earning for him the status of valued member of the Poly community.
Applicants were asked to respond to the question: Is pursuing higher education really worth the cost? Tariq answers a resounding “Yes.” He relates how his single mother struggled to care for him and his siblings. She worked long hours risking her health and depriving herself of food, clothing and decent shelter, so that her children’s needs would be met and they could experience the same sense of normalcy as other children in the neighborhood. S
“My mother smiles now because she knows that her sacrifices allowed us to achieve our goals. I will use my Civil Engineering degree to give single mothers a second chance by starting a business in my city to build homes and apartments for them. That’s my sacrifice and my thanks to my mother. That college degree will definitely be well worth the hard work; it will change my future, our world.”
Dr. Dwight E. Smith, Senior Engineering Practicum Teacher writes,” He has truly impressed me with his dedication, intelligence, curiosity, maturity, courtesy, work ethic and his ability to rise above his situation. He is one of the top performing students in the course, a rigorous college preparatory curriculum inspired by similar courses at the University of Maryland (College Park) and Johns Hopkins University. He is relied upon to explain engineering design, long term project planning, and elements of the mechanical and structural engineering disciplines to struggling students who failed to understand the material covered in class. Tariq was very involved in extra -curricular activities while at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He was Captain of the Football Team and a leading force on that team for which he was honored as Scholar Athlete for the Great American Rivalry Series and presented a scholarship. He was additionally a member of the Wrestling Team- awarded Wrestler of the Month, the baseball team, Marching Band, Orchestra Band, Chess Club and the Comic Book Club. Tariq has willingly taken on the role as a leader in the classroom and has a knack for guiding, nurturing and inspiring others to learn about engineering.