Q&A: Zohair Kamran

by Zohair Kamran
Zohair Kamran is an 18-year-old high school senior at Nottingham who moved from Texas last summer back to his birthplace of New Jersey. Zohair is a well accomplished and sensible young man who although has been at this school for less than a year, has already made a profound impact. He has earned the “Northstar of the Month” award in October, has created outstanding artwork in Mr. Rob Stout’s class which has been displayed in the halls, and more recently this semester he has been helping manage and fix some of the school’s Chromebooks and computers in his new technology internship with Mrs. Kelley Suto. 
Additionally, Zohair is always striving to become the best person he can possibly be through acts of kindness, compassion for his friends and classmates, hard efforts when delving into class projects and activities, and overall has shown righteous character in a multitude of situations. Moving forward, Zohair is going to participate on Nottingham’s Golf team and plans on pursuing a career in Graphic Design and Digital Arts. The following is a short six question interview I did of the young man:
Star Status: Nice to meet you Zohair; earlier you told me this is your first year at Nottingham yet already you’ve done so much. What are your proudest accomplishments at this school?
Zohair: My proudest accomplishments at this school include making new friends on the first day, creating outstanding art, and getting a tech internship opportunity. Despite this being my first and last year here, I feel like I have been making the most of it, and this has made me feel fulfilled with my time at Nottingham. Especially due to Covid lockdown and losing basically 2 years of in person school, I have felt obligated to give 110% in my senior year to make up for it.

Star Status: Now Zohair, I have heard you are a person of high morals and great character. Just where did you get this from? Who is your role model? Who do you look up to?
Zohair: My ultimate goal in life is to become the best person I can possibly be. And the only way to do that is by taking good qualities everywhere I see from all kinds of people, no matter how good or bad, even if they are rotten to the core. So to answer your question,  My role model is everybody, but mostly consists of people such as my dad and uncle for help with life. I think it is important to constantly be learning and observing any good people around you, as we should strive to become the best we can be. Always be willing to change for the better. It’s like Michael Jackson said, “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.” Never turn stone cold, keep an open mind and heart.

Star Status: You heard him folks, never stop improving in every possible way. Become the ultimate you. The third question for you now Mr. Zohair, now I know you have several kind teachers, who is your favorite teacher and why?
Zohair: This isn’t an easy question, as I have several great teachers, but when it comes down to it, Mr. Stout is my favorite teacher. He is the most kind, caring, and considerate teacher out of perhaps all of the years of high school I have had. He is always encouraging us individually checking on our progress and helping out in the class. When I had a neck injury, he personally came up to me to ask how I was and gave his sympathies telling me he hopes I get better. Also he is always willing to help and is the most lenient teacher, perhaps in the school. He never puts pressure on anyone, and always tells us to take our time on projects. Even if we turn them in late, he doesn’t give any penalties, we are always eligible for full points as long as we turn in work before the end of the marking period. Now of course, this could be a bad thing, as then work could pile up, since we get plenty of projects to do, with about 1 each week, but that is more on you in the end. You need to be responsible. Additionally, Mr. Stout provides us with Art materials to take home whenever we need them. This is something no other art teacher of mine that I had before has done. Buying that many supplies for so many students is highly appallable.

Star Status: Wow how lucky you must be to have such a compassionate teacher! Now please tell us Mr. Zohair, where are you from? We heard that you moved here last year only, so what are your origins?
Zohair: Certainly; I moved here last summer and have been enjoying it since. I was actually born in New Jersey but lived most of my life in Texas, growing up there as a kid. I would visit here in summers and winters though on break to meet my cousins. My parents, however, are from Pakistan.  I also have moved several times in my life, being forced to switch schools. Despite this, I have always managed to make new friends. 

Star Status: That is so cool! Zohair came here all the way from Texas! Noew for the 5th question, What advice would you give to younger students at Nottingham?
Zohair: Live life to the fullest, even at school. Do what you want, don't hesitate to participate in clubs, sports, after school activities, etc. This is only 4 years of your life and it will be over before you know it. Though at the same time, don’t be so hard on yourself. Take it easy, know when to give yourself a break and love yourself. Like Uncle Iroh from Avatar said, “A man needs his rest.”

Star Status: Alright, let’s wrap this up now, final question! What are your plans for your future, for the rest of your senior year and going forward in life?
Zohair: While I am finishing up my senior year, I am going to partake in Nottingham's Spring Golf, with it being my first ever high school sport. My plans for my future though, are to pursue a career in graphic design and digital arts at TCNJ while continuing to be a youtuber in my spare time. And then after I finish college and get established enough with my desired career, I want to be married and start a family, have two kids and live a peaceful life.​