Bariha Askery will be graduating from Jack E. Singley Academy this spring. Throughout her high school career, she was an active and involved student in the Computer Maintenance Program of Signature Studies.
After graduation, Bariha plans to attend Texas A&M University.
Bariha’s experience at Singley Academy has been one of a kind. She says, “I have been a part of almost everything.” From acting to being a member of the Asian Cultural Committee, Bariha has juggled projects in a variety of extracurriculars.
This year, Bariha had the great opportunity to be an actress in War of the Worlds by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus with the Singley Academy Theatre. She played the role of Carly Phillips, a serious journalist who has ironically inspired her career choice. For the first time, Bariha participated in Journalism UIL this year, where she became District Champion. She looks forward to her journey toward Regionals.
One of Bariha’s greatest accomplishments while at Singley was helping to establish the Asian Cultural Committee. During her sophomore year, she served as the Public Relations Coordinator of the committee. She has also been involved with the Business Professionals of America chapter on campus, where she has fulfilled roles such as Secretary, Treasurer, and now President. Bariha is also President of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Singley Academy.
Among these clubs, Bariha helped establish the Multicultural Club with her friends, later becoming President. She began her commitment to the Student Council her first year of high school as Freshman Director. In the midst of all these activities, she has participated in the Muslim Student Association, Destination Imagination, Yearbook, Skills USA, National Technical Honor Society, National Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America. She is an active Irving ISD Signature Studies Ambassador and a Singley Academy Ambassador.
An active member of the Irving community, Bariha has served over 180 volunteer hours at the Irving Public Library, Singley Academy, and the Irving Schools Foundation’s very own Food for Thought Program.
Bariha says her greatest accomplishment in high school has been receiving her CPR certification her freshman year. She describes the training process as a very difficult process, being the first great challenge she had ever encountered. Bariha learned that she is “capable of doing anything [she sets her] mind to no matter how grueling.”
“It is my dream to use my voice and writing to help others. ISF allowed me to use my voice in their application and be heard, which I think is prominent in Irving ISD. You can always find someone that lets you be seen and heard no matter what.”
Her favorite memory from high school took place during the Texas Business Professionals of America (BPA) Regional Competition when she was a sophomore. It was her very first BPA competition and the whole group had left for lunch with her and Mr. Michael Wood, her advisor and teacher at Singley. They hadn’t eaten anything all day! One of her classmates brought back a cheesecake for her to eat but forgot to add a fork. Mr. Wood searched the venue everywhere for a utensil for her meal but was unlucky. Bariha is happy to have bonded with one of her teachers. She remembers using their free time during competition day to take Disney quizzes on Buzzfeed.
Receiving the Journalism Scholarship at Breakfast with the Stars has been a motivational booster for Bariha. She is excited to work harder than ever before to achieve all of her goals.
Bariha’s role model is her mom. “She’s just incredible; she taught me that whatever I do, I have to put my heart and soul into it and I live by that.”
Her source of inspiration is from reading books, particularly Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. It has helped her realize that “there is more work to be done in the world, and I can be a part of that if I choose to.”
Bariha finds herself reflecting on the many opportunities that Irving ISD has given her:
“Being an Irving ISD student, I was provided some of the best teachers and educators as well as a lot of opportunities to network with professionals in different fields and work on projects that are outside my comfort zone. I get to leave high school with certifications and experiences in business, networking, and leadership.
The advice I would give to seniors is to ask for help when they need it; whether it be editing their essays for college and scholarships or just having someone to talk to, let your teachers know.
I like being in a school environment, it makes me want to work hard and be social. This year has been a little too hard because everything is online for me, but I’m learning how to teach myself and not procrastinate; it’s a work in progress…. Sometimes, my friends and I will do homework via Facetime but that’s the extent of my student life.”
Congratulations, Bariha, on all of your accomplishments! We can’t wait to see what you do next!
