November 1, 2024

Arab Americans United (AAU) is the first group in school history to focus on Arab American culture and heritage. Senior Yasmeen Al-Maflehi founded the club on March 15, 2024 and the group has held meetings, which are open to all, in the school media center. 

Al-Maflehi was motivated to establish AAU based on her strong passion for her culture, as well as the absence of an Arab-affiliated program at CHS. 

“I haven’t always had a community of Arabs,” Al-Maflehi said. “I’ve been the minority in my class and felt the anxiety of being different. Even down to small things [like] customs.” 

Al-Maflehi’s reasons for founding AAU ran even deeper, however; world events have directly affected her family. 

“My dad has been in Yemen for several years now,” Al-Maflehi said. “I hurt a lot from that.” 

Al-Maflehi hopes students gain leadership skills in AAU, as well as a sense of belonging. 

“What better place than a school club to build your confidence and be able to direct others as a leader?” Al-Maflehi said. “Since I’ve been doing [AAU] I have gained so much confidence in speaking, partnership and communication skills. I have formed relationships with administrators that have strengthened me as well as my group.”

French teacher Michele Scavdis serves as the faculty adviser for AAU. Scavdis sees a compelling need for extracurriculars that are culturally sensitive and supportive. 

“It feels like today there’s a lot of rhetoric [and] negativity around people of different cultures,” Scavdis said. “I think the most important thing with any cultural group is, number one, to be able to share experiences. Then, number two, to be able to put out that we’re different, but everyone’s also kind of similar. [To] share your culture so that people appreciate you more.” 

Senior Andrew Hamad has already made meaningful memories within the club.

“[I appreciate] talking about our heritage and culture and how we can all share it together,” Hamad said. “It has gotten me more involved with my peers.” 

Al-Maflehi would like the club membership to grow, and she hopes to build a strong relationship with future participants. It is important to her that the entire Copley community understands that AAU has ‘open arms.’

“We make sure to create a welcoming environment where all students, regardless of their background, feel they belong,” Al-Maflehi said. “Our activities highlight the richness of Arab culture, but we also celebrate the many different identities within the Arab world. This creates an open space where everyone can learn, share and feel appreciated.”