ENERGIZED BY EDUCATION Begum on track to be her school's first valedictorian

When Lipy Begum, 16, came to America with her family seven years ago from Bangladesh, she did not know a single word of English and had a hard time fitting in at school - even though many other students in her middle school were also the children of immigrants.
Now a junior at the Information Technology High School in Long Island City, Begum is now fluent in English and has excelled academically. If she keeps up her good grades, she will be the first valedictorian of the school, which opened two years ago. Begum plans to become a doctor, so that she can help others.
For Begum, her parents and six siblings, coming to America has meant the opportunity for a better education, which is one of their highest priorities.
&#8220My family isn't a very rich family, but they told me to go as far in education as you can,” Begum said. &#8220No matter what kind of obstacles you have to go through, just focus on education.”
Begum said that she has been driven in part academically to be a role model for her brothers and sisters, all of whom are younger and come to her for help with homework and studying.
On Friday, June 9, Begum along with 16 other students - 15 of whom are immigrants - from her high school was inducted into the school's first chapter of the National Honor Society.
Begum helped found the society with Ricardo Lazzo, her information technology teacher, who pointed to Begum as one of the brightest students he has ever encountered.
&#8220She's really breaking a lot of cultural borders by pursuing academic excellence,” Lazzo said.
Last year, Begum thought that she did not have enough extracurricular activities for all of her energy, so she approached Lazzo about other ways to fill her free time.
&#8220I grew up in a house where my parents didn't like me doing anything outside of school, Begum explained. &#8220 And I wanted to be involved in a lot of things.”
Lazzo, a former member of the National Honor Society himself, suggested that the group would be one way to bring academically minded students together both within Information Technology and throughout the country.
&#8220I'm excited, and I'm kind of nervous, because I have been preparing for this so long,” Begum said on the day before the induction.
Once the ceremony was finished, Begum began to focus her plans for the rest of the school year, when she will run for the spot of President of the Student Government, and for the summer, which will include taking two classes at Queens College - mythology and college writing.
&#8220Even though I don't have a career in a specific field of medicine in mind, I want to know about everything,” Begum said. &#8220I am a very open-minded person.”
Begum said that in Bangladesh few women are given the opportunity to complete a high school education and those who did often chose to become stay-at-home-moms once they married.
By choosing medicine as a career, Begum wants her career to continue even after marriage. &#8220I can't describe how much I love helping people,” she enthused.