Harvard-bound teen fulfills family's "dream"
| Tuesday, Jun 15 2010 06:00 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Jun 15 2010 09:45 PM
JOE FEGHALI
Graduated: Stockdale High School
GPA: 4.5
College: Harvard University
Career plans: Lawyer, international relations
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Joe Feghali is the only Kern County high school graduate confirmed to be going to Harvard this coming fall.
How does it feel to be the only Kern County high school graduate confirmed to be enrolled into Harvard University?
Joe Feghali answers the question with a word only an Ivy Leaguer would use.
"I'm incredulous."
The standout Stockdale High School valedictorian in August will start at Harvard, whose admittance level is among the lowest in the nation -- only 7 percent of the more than 30,000 students who applied are admitted.
Helping Feghali get admitted were stellar test scores, a resume filled with leadership roles in school and community programs and a 4.5 grade point average, tied with only eight other Kern High School District students.
Not bad for someone who started the sixth grade in Bakersfield not knowing English.
"There was a time when I thought Harvard was a dream, and not attainable. You can do everything right and not get in," Feghali said this week, winding down his high school career and preparing for his next phase. "For me to have gotten in, it means so much."
A DREAM
In 2003, Antoine Feghali and his wife left Lebanon with their only son in pursuit of the American dream -- a better life from the instability at home.
They especially left for Joe, Antoine Feghali said, because he showed signs of being intellectually gifted.
With permission from the federal government, they moved to Bakersfield and in with Antoine Feghali's sister, Maguy, who teaches math at Cal State Bakersfield. Joe enrolled in Ronald Reagan Elementary, one of the highest-performing schools in Kern County.
Joe Feghali remembers what school was like at first -- a little tough.
"Everybody spoke way too fast," he said.
After a couple of months, however, he was having full conversations in English, he said. Fast forward six years, and Joe is now fluent in four languages (also Lebanese, Arabic and French), and was chosen as senior class commencement speaker.
His father is not surprised by Joe's success. They started Joe in school at 18 months, bought him tons of books instead of games, and a computer with Internet access at an early age.
Antoine Feghali is a college graduate and co-owns the local Camille's Sidewalk Cafe, and his wife currently is in the credential program at CSUB.
"We are a family where we worship education," Antoine Feghali said with a Lebanese accent.
Still, he said, Joe is "well-rounded," invites friends over often, knows a great amount about pop culture, and watches television any chance he can. Plus he's responsible and kind-hearted, he said.
Antoine Feghali said he made the right decision moving his family to the United States.
"We came here for a reason," he said, referring to Joe's education. "Our dream is almost achieved."
CHALLENGES CONTINUE
Joe stood in front of roughly 30 people Monday, most of them likely 10 or more years older than he. He was giving a presentation on drug abuse and prevention to local at-risk youth mentors, school officials and representatives from the Kern County Mental Health Department as part of Kern County Youth Council with other area students.
"Drugs can be very dangerous if misused," Feghali told them.
The presentation is likely the last high school-related project he'll take part in here, winding down years of rigorous coursework and extracurricular activities while at Stockdale.
His freshman year, Feghali took Advanced Placement French, joined Health Occupations Students of America, medical academy and youth council. Adding on during his sophomore and junior years: tennis, drama and academic decathlon.
"My goal was not to spice up my resume," he said. "I took the most challenging courses I was allowed to. But I never had to sacrifice my social life."
Stockdale counselor Martha Zaragoza said she's most impressed with how he's "mastered" English. And besides being a stellar student, Joe has a "gentle personality," Zaragoza said.
"He'll go far, I'm sure," she said.
Feghali, along with 44 local high schoolers, will receive the 2010 First in Class Award next week from the district. He'll be in Florida, however, for a national Health Occupations Students of America competition.
After that, he'll be taking a European vacation with family before reporting to Harvard Aug. 24. Financial aid and scholarships will pay his path.
He expects to take a full load and continue to challenge himself, he said. He looks forward to "college life in general," and learning from people "so well-versed" in their profession.
He hopes to enroll in law school after Harvard, and one day work in international relations.
