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Nederland High School senior Karim Shaaban has been awarded the ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ Presidential Scholarship. Shaaban, currently ranked as the salutatorian in the top 1% of his graduating class of 327 students, was recognized for his academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to community service during Nederland High School's Mid County Madness pep rally.

The Presidential Scholarship provides a full-ride for four years, covering tuition, fees, room and board, and books, and is awarded to high-achieving students who display outstanding academic records and leadership qualities. Shaaban’s achievements include a perfect 4.0 GPA and a 1390 SAT score, as well as seven years of perfect attendance. He has taken a rigorous course load that includes AP and dual enrollment classes such as AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB, AP Biology, AP Physics, and English dual enrollment courses.

Shaaban’s involvement extends well beyond academics. He currently serves as President of the National Honor Society and Class President on the Student Council. He also holds the position of Team Captain on the UIL Congress Debate team, where he led his team to state competition. In addition to his leadership roles, Shaaban has served as Director and Lead Producer of Nederland High School’s audio/video production team and has been a member of the Varsity Cross Country team for three years. His extracurricular involvement includes positions as President and Vice President of Key Club, Historian of the National Spanish Honor Society, and participation in the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Club and Lamar Youth Leadership of Southeast Texas. 

"We’re thrilled to honor Karim as a Presidential Scholar," ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ President Dr. Jaime Taylor said. "He exemplifies the qualities of academic and personal excellence that we value, and we’re proud to support him in his journey toward a career in medicine."

The Presidential Scholarship is awarded through a rigorous selection process and is open to first-time college freshmen who meet strict academic criteria, including a minimum high school GPA of 4.0 or qualifying SAT/ACT scores. Recipients are also required to maintain active membership in the university’s Honors College throughout their undergraduate studies.

Shaaban’s language skills, which include fluency in Arabic, along with his talents in public speaking, video, and photo editing, further highlight his diverse skill set. As a Presidential Scholar, Shaaban will join a distinguished group of students at ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ who are committed to leadership and academic achievement.

For more information on the ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ Presidential Scholarship and its application process, visit /financial-aid/scholarships/