American School of Dubai honours class of 2025
Celebrates top scholars, leaders, athletes, artists, and lifers
The American School of Dubai (ASD) community celebrated the Class of 2025 this week with the school’s time-honoured traditions for the graduating Seniors. The students were given letters of encouragement and advice from teachers, friends, and family at the Red Envelope Ceremony, and then joined the celebratory Senior Parade for their last walk down the halls of campus.
This weekend, the ASD Class of 2025 will officially complete their high school journey at the school’s 32nd Graduation Ceremony.
Excellence in academics, arts, athletics, leadership & service
ASD has also given special recognition to several students who have made outstanding contributions to the school community through the arts, athletics, service, science, business, technology, diplomacy, and international understanding.
Valedictorian: Bethlyn Rose Whitehead
Salutatorian: Kiyan Zane Milton Vessali
Distinguished Service Award: Maria Saleem Baig
Award for International Understanding: Luca Karim Yazdanpanah
The Bob Ackerman Award for Excellence in Technological Innovation : Alice May Caban
The Phil Ridley and Ahne Crawford-Ridley Scholarship : Michael Kremers
Senior Arts Award: Alessio Aryan Nakani; Suria Noel Cramer
The Dale Haus Waldoch Visual Art Award : Zara Yousuf Ramjoo
The Sikander Shallwani Senior Business Award : Saurav Senan Nakhwa
The Michelle Pazos Scholarship: Leah Baroudi
The Megan Garrison Athletic Award : Bethlyn Rose Whitehead
The Mike Ross Athletic Award: Michael Kremers
ASD Scholar Athlete Award: Bethlyn Rose Whitehead
The Ambassador’s Award for Academic Excellence: Aiden Gerst
American School of Dubai Lifers
The graduation ceremony will be especially meaningful for 31 Senior students who have been students at the American School of Dubai since K1. This year’s ASD Lifers are: Omar Abu Asad, Rakan Walid Alturki, Vanessa Antonios, Sienna Arora, Lara Luay Barakat, Suday Vikas Daryani, Noor Salem Dasmal, Finnan Gabriel Boux Gavaghan, Natalie Haddad, Khalid Walid Hajj, Aarnav Hiranandani, Michael Jay Issa, Nayla Sophia Jarmache, Krish Avinash Kalwani, Michael Kremers, Youssef Tarek Lotfy, Mia Malas, Raja Mansour, Mustafawi Memon, Sophia Machenry Mirabedy, Fares Ayman Naber, Adrian Naul, Khaled Khalifa Samhoun, Sofia Schubert, Ansh Nirikshit Shah, Karan Vikram Shroff, Zaid Taqi, Aarav Kabir Valrani, Camila Vidaurre, Charlie James Wootton, and Nadine Karim Zaki.
Bethlyn will pursue a degree in economics at the University of Alabama as a National Merit Finalist.
“I’m incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities and support ASD has provided me. Since I joined the school as a freshman, the community has been exceptionally welcoming, and I’ve found no shortage of kindness from everyone I’ve met here. I’d especially like to thank the athletics department for giving me the chance to make unforgettable memories at MESAC as I competed in volleyball, basketball, and softball during my time at ASD. More than anything, my experience at ASD has taught me that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to if you ask for help when you need it and apply yourself when given the opportunity.”
Kiyan will be studying Astrophysics at the University of California, Berkeley. “I’m thankful for all the moments, big and small, that made my time at ASD what it was. I’ve grown a lot here, both because of the challenges and because of the people who helped me through them. I’m especially grateful to my friends, teachers, and family for their support, patience, and belief in me. As I head into this next chapter of my life, I’ll carry everything I’ve learned with me — not just in the classroom, but outside of it, too.”
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