By Annie Goodykoontz

   “I want to push myself to dive deeper into the things I am passionate about no matter how hard it will be,” says Tempe Prep alum Marzuk Hasan.

   From the graduating class of 2022, Marzuk is doing just that; he won the 2022 AIA Male Student of the Year. Each year, the Arizona Interscholastic Association, or AIA, selects one female and male student from schools across Arizona to highlight their academic, athletic and personal achievements. . Marzuk received the award at the 2022 AIA Gala in May and. is now studying Aerospace Engineering at the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University..

  Nomination for this award is no easy feat; there are requirements such as participation in a varsity sport and maintaining a certain GPA. 

  Luckily, as President of the National Honor Society, captain of the TPA high school robotics team, National Merit-Finalist and a varsity member of the TPA track and golf teams, Marzuk stood out as a high-qualified candidate. 

  He says that he was not expecting to win this award but was surprised to be recognized at the AIA Gala. “It’s definitely an interesting feeling,” he said, “It’s nice to feel recognized after putting in a lot of work throughout my high school career.”

    Marzuk is grateful for the opportunity and encourages other TPA students to aim high.

   “Awards help us gain confidence in ourselves that we do have what it takes,” he said. “It is important to realize that while this external validation is wonderful, it is the internal acceptance and validation of your own worth that really counts.”