“When I first walked into Gateway Middle School, I was just finishing my English Language Acquisition (ELA) program because I had just moved here from the Middle East,” said Tahseen. “I spoke English well enough, but it wasn’t as if I could read and write like I had been living here my whole life. I was in sixth grade with a fourth grade reading level but with continuous reading and writing support from my teachers, I persevered. By the time eighth grade rolled around, I was done with the ELA program.”
When Tahseen came to Gateway High School, he wanted to pursue more challenging courses like honors and AP classes but was nervous to do so because he had just graduated from the ELA program. However, with encouragement from his Gateway teachers and advisor, he participated in rigorous classes and learned valuable lessons that he will carry with him for the rest of his life. “I learned how to ask questions, how to advocate for myself, and when to step up and help others out,” said Tahseen.
Tahseen was nominated by his biology teacher for an internship at UCSF and spent two years interning in their vaccination department. “My internship helped me fall in love with molecular biology and chemistry, and also provided me with the opportunity to bring my internship experience back into the classroom,” said Tahseen.
His internship, as well as his family’s history with chronic illness, has inspired him to study molecular biology and biochemistry when he attends the University of Puget Sound in the fall of 2018. “Health care for me is personal and I hope to be a doctor someday so I can help people find solutions to leading healthier lives,” said Tahseen.
Tahseen is grateful for the support that Posse will provide to him before, during, and after college given the fact that he comes from a low income home and wants to graduate college in the four-year time frame. He is also grateful that he is part of a Posse that is bringing diversity to the University of Puget Sound. “The Gateway community is incredibly diverse and everyone cares for one another deeply,” said Tahseen. “Along with my Posse, I hope be a trailblazer in bringing diversity and inclusivity to the University of Puget Sound.”