WESTBROOK – Fatimah Najm, a 17-year-old native of Iraq and a junior at Westbrook High School, was recently invited to be a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, a culmination of a drive to succeed following her family’s move from a war-torn country.

After the war in Iraq forced her family to relocate to Syria in 2007, Najm, along with her parents and two brothers, immigrated to the United States in 2012. After six months in Chattanooga, Tenn., the family moved to Greater Portland and has lived in Westbrook for almost four years. Najm also has a younger sister, who was born shortly after the family came to the United States.

Before leaving the family’s former home, Najm’s father first owned a car showroom and then a restaurant. Najm said that after moving to the United States, her mother worked as a florist in Tennessee.

Najm has pushed herself academically since coming to Westbrook, becoming fluent in English as well as beginning to learn French in school. This year, she joined Westbrook High School’s French Club, Key Club and Big Brother Big Sister Club.

Najm hopes to one day become a doctor, and said it has been her dream since she was a child, something that is apparent when she talks about her post-secondary plans. “After high school I will go to college, and I will be a doctor,” she said.

She says that after school, she does homework, studies for tests, and if she has time, tries to learn more words in French.

The American Journal caught up with Najm recently to gain some insight into what drives her to succeed:

Q: What was it like to adjust to life in a new country?

A: There were a lot of things I had to adjust to in the United States. Some of them were learning English, knowing America’s culture, and communication with other people from other countries.

Q: You’ve said that you and your family love Westbrook. What is it about Westbrook that you love?

A: Westbrook is a peaceful and beautiful city, and the school has smart, helpful and respectful teachers.

Q: What are the criteria for being in the National Society of High School Scholars?

A: The criteria for being in the National Society of High School Scholars must be a student in high school meet any one of the criteria below:

• 1750 SAT score or higher

• 200 PSAT score or higher

• 26 ACT score or higher

• Score 4 or higher on any AP exam

• Score 5 or higher on any IB exam

• 3.5 Cumulative GPA (4.0 Scale) or higher (or equivalent. GPA). I have a cumulative GPA of 4.0.

• Top 10% rank in class

Q: How did you feel when you received the award?

A: When I received the award, I felt that everything I work hard on in school is worth it. I was excited that my parents were proud of me, and the award makes me work harder on everything to reach my goal to be a doctor.

Q: What drives you to succeed in school?

A: I was living in a country that had a war, and that made me feel that I have the opportunity to make my future better. I like to reach my goals by working hard on something, and I feel that I’m an ambitious person.

Q: You’ve joined three clubs at the high school this year. How have they impacted your high school experience so far? Do you plan to join more?

A: These clubs have inspired me to be more outgoing, more confident, and learn ways to help other people. I am planning to join track and volunteer to get more experience. I want to know and help more people.

Q: Your dream is to become a doctor. Why did you decide that this is the right path for you?

A: I decided to become a doctor because I’d like to help people with their illnesses, and with the experience I will make people healthy to enjoy their life and nothing will stop them to reach their goals in life.

Q: Do you have any ideas for where you will go to college? Do you have a dream school?

A: I am looking for the top colleges for medicine, like University of New England, University of Vermont, and Simmons College, but I am still searching for other colleges.

Fatimah Najm