(05/17/2024) Kamar Sati, a junior at Champlin Park High School (CPHS), is one of 17 students from across the U.S. and Africa to be named to the Bezos Scholars Program.
As a Bezos Scholar, students and educators have inspired change on issues such as mental health awareness and advocacy, civic engagement, STEM education, environmental justice, refugee and immigrant rights and more.
Sati was born in Damascus, Syria into a rich Arab Muslim culture and carries that piece of her heritage everywhere she goes. As a bilingual speaker and a captain on the CPHS speech team, she recognizes language’s significance, power and weight.
She helped create the Muslim Student Association at CPHS helping forge meaningful connections between students with different backgrounds. Sati is passionate about helping people develop an understanding of other cultures and religions to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment.
As a Bezos Scholar, Sati will participate in a year-long leadership development program that amplifies youth voice and action by supporting scholars as they produce real-world projects aimed at positive change.
Sati will participate in virtual sessions twice each month and will attend the Aspen Ideas Festival for a week of leadership activities and workshops led by innovative global leaders. Throughout her senior year, Sati will help the cohort plan, develop and launch impact projects before ending the program with a celebration and opportunity to be a part of the program’s alum network.
Along with each Bezos Scholar, an educator from each student’s school is invited to participate in the program. Virginia Brown Acevez, who coordinates the TRIO Upward Bound program through Anoka-Ramsey Community College at CPHS, will participate in the program hoping to connect with other educators and students who are passionate about working for change in their communities.
The TRIO Upward Bound program offers high school students opportunities to develop the motivation and skills necessary to complete high school and enroll in post-secondary education following high school graduation. The funding for this program is provided by a federal grant.
