Two EC students honored as President's Student Civic Leadership Award recipients

Ahmad Hilal Abid and Emily Hall were recognized as the President’s Student Civic Leadership Award recipients for Edmonds College on Friday. (photo courtesy of WACC)

Ahmad Hilal Abid and Emily Hall were recognized at a ceremony on Friday at the Museum of Flight in Seattle as the President’s Student Civic Leadership Award recipients for Edmonds College.

The Student Civic Leadership Awards recognize outstanding student leaders from Washington Campus Compact (WACC) member campuses in Washington and Idaho for their work in civic engagement and social entrepreneurship. Edmonds College President Dr. Amit B. Singh nominated Abid and Hall for their outstanding contributions on campus.

In addition to the President’s Student Civic Leadership Award, Governor Jay Inslee recognized  Abid as one of three Governor’s Student Civic Leadership Award recipients. As the Governor’s Award winner, he will receive a $1,000 prize.

“Emily and Ahmad Hilal are exemplary students both in and out of the classroom,” said Dr. Singh. “Their selfless commitment to making a difference in the community is admirable and inspiring. We are proud to have leaders like Emily and Ahmad Hilal represent Edmonds College in earning this distinguished recognition.”

Hall co-leads the Green Team on campus in organizing environmental and sustainability events. Additionally, she served 300 hours in the AmeriCorps College Support Services program. As part of her hours, she volunteered in the college’s food pantry, where she spearheaded a project that successfully improved the pantry’s distribution of food and overall operations.

Ahmad Hilal Abid (right) is joined by EC President Dr. Amit B. Singh (left) and Washington Governor Jay Inslee (center) as he is awarded the Governor's Student Civic Leadership Award. (photo courtesy of WACC)

Hall is passionate about botany and wants to create sustainable agriculture that can help combat food deserts while educating communities about food production. She is studying agricultural science at Edmonds College, maintains a 3.85 GPA, and hopes to transfer to Evergreen State College after earning her associate’s degree. Hall is also one of two Edmonds College students nominated for the All-Washington 2022 Academic Team, which will announce scholarship award winners in May.

Abid is very active both on and off campus, dedicating much of his free time to volunteering and community service. He has served as a student leader and organization coordinator within the Center for Student Engagement & Leadership and has assisted as a campus event programmer.

Abid is active at churches and mosques within Edmonds and Lynnwood and has been instrumental in assimilating Afghan refugees into the community. He has worked with local organizations in supporting fundraising efforts while also teaching English to children and older generations. Abid also started the House of Wisdom, a program that helps children and youth of all backgrounds with their schoolwork while teaching values, principles, and customs. Abid began the program out of his garage but has since rented a larger space to accommodate his sessions.

Abid will earn his Associate in Arts, Direct Transfer degree in spring 2022. He will continue to work on a paralegal degree for the 2022-23 academic year.