As Associated Student Body (ASB) President at Prairie High School, Nadia Mousleh is motivated by “the smiles on people’s faces when you make a difference.” Born to a Russian mother and a Palestinian father, Nadia credits her parents for fostering an understanding of diverse backgrounds. “If it weren’t for my parents, I wouldn’t be as strong a leader,” she says. After an early focus on varsity basketball, Nadia began to pursue other interests.  Nadia notes, “I slowly learned that everyone had a story that shapes who they are and makes them diverse in their own way.” Nadia is a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington, describing it as one of her “most rewarding experiences.” Many of her other activities are also geared toward helping those in need.

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She chairs the Prairie High School Operation Fairy Godmother project, which provides dresses to ensure that every girl has a chance to go to her high school prom, even if she can’t afford a new dress.

Nadia also chairs the annual canned food drive at Prairie High School. This year, Prairie and Battle Ground High Schools hosted a joint food drive. Nadia notes, “This partnership allows students to see that we can make a bigger difference if we all work together to help those that need it most.”

As ASB president and through all her activities, Nadia strives to make her high school and community a better place. Through the organization “Every Fifteen Minutes,” Nadia has helped educate other students about the dangers of drunk driving.

Nadia is also a mentor in Rachel’s Challenge, an organization created in honor of Rachel Scott, a student who was killed at Columbine High School. Rachel’s Challenge motivates students to treat each other with positive words, attitudes, and actions.  In her own role as a Rachel’s Challenge mentor, Nadia befriends new students—and mentors freshmen—easing their transition to Prairie High School.

To better serve her community, Nadia has actively developed her own leadership skills. She became involved in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar, a national program that empowers youth nationwide. After her sophomore year, Nadia served as a delegate at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar Gonzaga University. The following summer, she volunteered at the leadership seminar, planning a talent show and supporting many other events. 

Nadia’s ASB Leadership Advisor, Jennifer Havig, nominated her for the Young Woman of Achievement award.  “Nadia promotes the recognition of student diversity on all levels and encourages students to accept others,” Havig wrote.  “Nadia is a fantastic representation of the ideals held by the YWCA and is an excellent choice for the Young Women of Achievement Award.”