Alima Yahia is an assiduous, ambitious, and passionate individual, as well as a devout Muslim. She cherishes the small moments in life as she works towards using her insight, wisdom, and experience to improve her community. Despite being the youngest of five siblings, Alima advocates for others and endeavors to put her best foot forward – no matter the situation. She embraces positivity in every challenge and possesses the tenacity to fulfill her objectives. Alima values every second of the day – each second being a chance to jumpstart change.

Alima is most proud of being featured and acknowledged on superintendent Alan Cheng’s newsletter the Consortium, Internationals, NYC Outward Bound (CIOB). At the NYC STEM Expo, she and her team created Intaesia, a robot that used could recognize, pick-up, and stow fishing nets in waterways using machine vision learning. Together, their team was recognized out of all the other high school teams in attendance; the expo also offered them a chance to connect with a marine biologist and an associate that can connect them with the Environmental Protection Agency and Marine Agency Corporations.

Beyond this achievement, Alima works alongside younger students as a workshop coordinator and 10th grade science mentor. Furthermore, she serves as a committee leader in Student Government, crafting creative posters and informing her school community of crucial announcements. Finally, Alima is a UHHS Ambassador, captain of the Builders on her school’s Robotics Team, and a volunteer who mentally and emotionally supports cancer patients at the Bronx Oncology Living Daily Initiative.

Alima is the fun, jocular hijabi who cares for not only the world she lives in, but the people who inhabit it too. She cherishes moments with her loved ones, family, and friends, and holds onto the seconds of happiness that ensue as a result. The time she spends with the people that grant her joy serve as the reminder of the blessings that shower her life.