Loulya Alabed

Alabed. For them, it’s important to visit a Middle Eastern country to know more about their background and culture.

“I just like my kids to see where we came from, our roots, and see all of our family members,” Houssni said.

Though her aunt and uncle were fortunate enough to leave the country, other members of Alabed’s family are still living in Syria. Her grandparents live about a mile from the Syrian president’s house in one of the richest areas in the country. Despite the wealth, this region is not exempt from the dangers the local people face. Recently, the Syrian government dropped a bomb on a building near their home. Hospitals are also a common target for bombings. According to Alabed, all the best doctors have fled the country, meaning most illnesses or injuries are ultimately a death sentence.

“People don’t understand how bad the conditions are,” Alabed said. “People think it’s just certain battlefields or some towns [the government] attacks. But, no. They attack everywhere and anywhere they can get their hands on.”

In regards to the Syrian refugee crisis, Alabed has a special place in her heart for those trapped in their home country. Even when she isn’t in an Arab country, she is constantly reminded of the struggles locals endure on a regular basis. Syrian weather is similar to that of Kansas City: very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. Many families sleep in the streets despite these conditions, or in houses with no heat and only thin blankets to keep them warm when it’s below 30 degrees outside. Air conditioning and heating units are rare for those living in incredible poverty. These people are the refugees that are trying to flee their current situation and the Syrian government. The destitution is evident throughout the country, as is the lack of safety for locals.

“A lot of nervousness comes along when I think about it, especially because we watch the Arabic news at my house,” Alabed said. “Family picnic places we went to every summer are now barren, and monuments have been taken over by the federal government. It doesn’t seem like the same places anymore.”

Though Alabed was born in the United States, she holds on to her roots in Syria. Arabic is her first language and she frequently speaks it at home. Since some of their family still remains in the Middle East, Alabed’s mother Najla Alabed returns more frequently. One encounter that specifically sticks out to Alabed is from one of her mother’s trips to Syria. Walking through the store one day, Najla came upon a poor woman asking a food vendor for scraps or leftovers, anything he could spare for her. The man refused to give her anything, so Najla stepped in.

“My mother gave her a $5 bill for food, which is equivalent to about $50 for them. The woman got down on the ground and kissed my mother’s feet,” Alabed said.

According to Alabed, choosing Sion has been a very enlightening experience for her, especially in theology classes. Not only are the people more educated on diversity, but attending a Catholic school as a Muslim opens countless doors for comparing the two religions. Though she feels uncomfortable at times, the school has been a sanctuary, introducing her to people that help foster her identity.

“I feel like at Sion it’s easier for me because I have a lot of friends and people in general that always support me,” Alabed said. “I don’t feel as targeted or singled out as I would if I went to public school. There are certain things I personally don’t agree with, but it doesn’t limit my relationships, just makes them harder to relate to sometimes.”

In trying to relay her passion to others, Alabed co-founded Social Awareness Community Action club at the end of her freshman year and the club was approved for the 201516 school year. Spanish teacher Leah LaFaver sponsors the club, and says it impacts her in large ways. According to Alabed, LaFaver always has an open mind about everything and is always available for any conversation when [Loulya] is not feeling supported.

“She has incredible strength,” LaFaver said. “She’s worked hard to educate people who are emotionally challenging to her. I love that she’s capable of understanding other sides when they’re hurtful to her and go against what she’s comfortable with.”

Alabed has also found support from other students in the community. Sophomore Hana Awad and Alabed have been close family friends for years and rely on each other for assurance. Awad’s family is from Iran, one of the countries affected by President Donald Trump’s proposed travel ban. According to Alabed, her family gets together with Awad’s to talk about current issues in the Middle East. Both families are strong supporters of those who go out to march and protest.

“She’s definitely inspired me to be who I am and not be afraid of showing my faith,” Awad said. “You can tell she cares about how Muslims are portrayed in the media.”

While some easily take offense to uneducated statements about Muslims and those of Middle Eastern descent, Alabed uses the opportunity to fight ignorance as well as help people understand the reality. Her 12-year-old brother Sammy Alabed recently ran into a situation at his Catholic grade school when another young boy ran up to him, making harsh generalizations about those of Islamic faith.

“The other boy was saying some nasty stuff about me and Muslims,” Sammy said. “But I was tough and kept asking him where he got all that information about Muslims.”

He came home discouraged and frustrated, turning to Alabed for comfort. Although she encouraged him to just brush it off, Alabed takes a different approach when facing accusations herself.

“I feel the exact opposite,” Alabed said. “When people say ignorant things, I love to challenge them and ask them proof on how they found these statistics or other ideas.”

Much of Alabed’s passion comes from her parents influence. They both work hard to stay optimistic, looking forward to a future of peace between faiths. According to Najla, it’s important that the people she interacts with understand how peaceful their religion is.

“It’s hard when other people have such negative views by just looking at what they see on the news, how we look, and what we wear,” Najla said. “But I try to always be positive and educate the people around me and lead by example for my kids.”

Though facing tough situations can be disheartening for Alabed, it has given her perspective when seeing circumstances similar to those she and her family have persevered through. Alabed’s passion may stem from issues close to her, but it is by no means limited to those alone.

“Because I know what it feels like to be judged, it makes it easier to connect and help with people who are feeling the same way,” Alabed said. “I don’t want anyone else to know what that’s like.”

Alabed poses with her mother in front of Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world. (Photo submitted by Loulya Alabed)

Playing on a sand dune in the Al Faya desert, Alabed and her younger brother spend time in the sun. (Photo submitted by Loulya Alabed)

Alabed reaches out toward a Syrian flag from the top of a hill during a trip in 2010. (Photo submitted by Loulya Alabed)

Alabed rides on an ATV in the Al Faya desert at dusk during her trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, this year. (Photo submitted by Loulya Alabed)

Sworn Into

Senior Mackenzie Hutcheson’s volunteer work at the Kansas City Youth Court ignited her interwoven journey of both service and criminal justice.

BY PAIGE RITTER

REPORTER

It was a high level case for a first-time prosecutor in the Kansas County Youth Court. Attempted arson. But the facts seemed simple. As the 15-year-old prosecutor stepped nervously into the courtroom she had no doubts of his guilt. However, when she stepped back out, things weren’t so clear. The facts that once seemed so simple, now had many different sides and stories. It was now not just a crime, but a moment in a 7-year-old boy’s life.

At KCYC Senior Mackenzie Hutcheson was able to unite her passion for criminal justice with her passion for helping others. When she began her work there the summer before her sophomore year, she was embarking on a journey that would ultimately define who she is as a person.

“I began because I have always enjoyed helping others and thought it would be a unique way to combine that with my passion for criminal justice,” Hutcheson said. Towards the end of her freshman year, a classmate of Hutcheson’s was complaining about her time volunteering at court. Intrigued, she began to research more about the diversion program of the Jackson County Family Court and filled out an application. She then went on to take the KCYC Bar exam, which is a modified version of the Missouri Bar exam that all practicing lawyers must pass.

For two years she served as an attorney for first-time, nonviolent youth offenders in the state of Missouri. This past year Hutcheson served as a judge. Someone who has seen the transition and growth within Hutcheson is the KCYC Volunteer Supervisor Korey Lewis.

“I’ve seen her grow, especially as a judge, to be able to productively discuss things with defendants,” Lewis said. “Our clients frequently come from families that have really negative experiences with the court system, so it’s amazing to have a judge like Mackenzie who can reach them in spite of that and give them a positive court experience.”

Hutcheson’s time as a judge has fostered a deeper understanding and respect for others. The extra responsibility that has come along with serving as a judge has also lead to more difficult moments. For Hutcheson the most difficult is when defendants don’t abide by her sentences for community service and counseling, and they are left with monetary fines or jail time. Even so, she still searches for compassion.

“I can’t help them have remorse. I’m there because I want to help serve, not to punish them,” Hutcheson said. “It’s hard when I know they are going down a self-destructive path, and with a majority of them it’s because of the situation they are in either financially or from a broken home.”

The summer going into her junior year Hutcheson traveled to Washington D.C. to garner more experience for the legal world. She attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law and Crime Scene Investigation where she participated in mock trials and experienced the day in the life of a lawyer. However, after hearing a forensic psychologist speak on the last night, a new path in the legal world began to form for Hutcheson.

“I like the idea of helping people and helping stop crime from happening, which is the more proactive job of criminology,” Hutcheson said. She now hopes to attend graduate school and work as a profiler or criminal analyzer. Next year she will attend Missouri State University where she plans to major in Criminology and Psychology with an