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Amran Hudda graduated this year from Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, and has proven himself as a force to be reckoned with in the worlds of debate and academia.
The seeds of his debate journey were sown in the summer of 8th grade when his mother encouraged him to enroll in a debate camp. The camp would cultivate his public speaking skills and give voice to shape his opinions. Embracing this opportunity, he participated wholeheartedly in debate camp, which paved the way for his remarkable achievements.
Throughout high school, Amran honed his skills and participated in various debate competitions, establishing himself as one of the top debaters in the country. His forte lies in Congressional debate, where he and his team delve into real-world issues and policies, such as abolishing gerrymandering and ending fossil fuel subsidies.
Amran held a leadership role as the vice president of his high school's speech and debate team, where he mentored and coached over 150 students. This role demonstrated his dedication to empowering others and fostering a strong debating community.
In 2022, Amran competed and won at the Berkeley Invitational Congressional debate. He then moved on to the Tournament of Champions as one of the top 12 of 200 debaters. This year, Amran competed at the Martin Luther King Invitational Congressional debate and finished in second place.
The Harvard Invitational Congressional Debate was Amran’s next debate encounter, a highly competitive tournament with nearly 400 elite (Congress) debaters invited to Boston to compete each winter. The top 16 are invited to the round-robin, where only the top debaters compete against each other. Amran finished tenth in the round-robin and eighth overall for the whole tournament.
Earlier this year, Amran was voted the best congressional debater at the Senate National Speech and Debate Association’s National Leadership Bowl by his peers. Amran has a special knack when debating, “Judges are in a room listening to speeches for an hour, so I like to catch their attention. I usually try to throw in a joke or two in my introductions,” he states.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Amran’s passion for research is evident in his collaboration with a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, co-authoring a research article on pressure sores, and his research internship at Harvard Medical School, exploring drug absorption kinetics on the skin. These experiences highlight his potential to make significant contributions to the scientific community. His commitment to academic excellence is evident in his perfect ACT score of 36, placing him in the top 0.313% of all test takers. He has a promising future at Duke University, where he plans to pursue a degree in computer science and economics.
Not only a skilled debater, but Amran is also active in the Jamat and believes in using his Ismaili identity as a means to extend help and positively impact the lives of those in need through the topics he chooses to debate. In his free time, Amran enjoys singing, basketball, and spending time with his family.
Amar’s Journey
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Amar Lakhani's journey is a testament to the power of determination, creativity, and hard work, even in the face of limited time and resources.
Amar is a rising senior at Randle High School in Houston. His journey began when his teacher decided to enter his students in a state competition at the last minute. Unbeknownst to them, they were accepted. He joined and participated in the Technology Student Association (TSA) competition. His team's project involved developing a Virtual Reality (VR) program for an adoption center catering to animals within a 15-mile radius. The project’s objective was to allow users to interact with pets, feed them, and even adopt them online. Their initial submission made it to the state level, but they knew they needed to enhance the project further.
Despite having only one and a half months to improve and prepare for the National TSA Competition, Amar took the lead with his team in refining the VR program using coding. “We had to make the application better and more interactive,” he states. So. with his team, he introduced movements for the pets, allowing users to see the animals roll over and respond to commands. The enhanced project impressed the judges, securing the team a spot at the National TSA Competition.
At the National TSA Competition, Amar and his team faced stiff competition against 1,800 high school students from across the United States. Despite other teams having significantly longer preparation periods, they showcased their determination and ingenuity and claimed an impressive third place in the prestigious competition.
Amar's passion for creativity and innovation extends beyond Technology. In 8th grade, during the pandemic, he engaged in 3D modeling and designed a lid for the Niyaz bottle at home using precise dimensions for 3D printing. His expertise in 3D printing allowed him to bring his designs to life, reflecting his creative flair and problem-solving abilities.
As Amar nears his senior year in high school, he possesses a strong ambition to gain admission into either Texas A&M's renowned engineering program or at UT Austin. He plans to pursue a career in civil engineering, which has been greatly influenced by his father. Amar is determined to refine his engineering abilities and make valuable contributions to the captivating field of civil engineering and construction.
Amar's dedication to creating a positive impact extends deeply within his Ismaili community. He actively engages in volunteer work with the youth during Saturday Jamatkhana events and is also a member of both the STEP management team and IMARA. His passion for community service reflects his profound values and a genuine desire to make a meaningful contribution to society.
Amar's journey extends beyond personal achievements. Despite feeling that he doesn't deserve all the recognition, his success, and humility serve as reminders that the journey toward a goal is just as important as the destination itself.
Amran and Amar's stories reflect determination, creativity, passion, and inspiration. Amran's accomplishments in debate, academics, and leadership promise a bright future as a leader and change-maker. As for Amar, his impressive skills at innovation serve as a reminder that dedication and resilience can overcome any constraints at any age.
