Congratulations to Darsh Shah and Laila Sharif for being selected as this year's Haslam Scholars at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

By Student Reporter: Priyanka Phaniraj

Germantown, Tennessee—March 9, 2022—

The Haslam Scholars Program is the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s competitive scholars’ program that consists of community-focused and intellectually gifted high school leaders. Upon acceptance into the university, these scholars receive a full ride to the school, opportunity to participate in advanced leadership courses, a fully-funded abroad program in Ireland, guest speaker lecture series, summer internships, and many more.

After first applying to one of UTK’s honors programs, students submit an application to the Haslam Scholars Program. Upon being selected as a semi-finalist, these students participate in regional interviews and then receive an all-expenses paid trip to UTK for the interview selection weekend if chosen as a finalist. During this weekend, students participate in interviews, group activities, the Vols basketball games, and genuinely experience the social culture of UTK. As a result, 15 applicants of 1,200 are finally named the Haslam scholars.

This year, Houston High School seniors Darsh Shah and Laila Sharif were selected to be this year’s Haslam Scholars.

Darsh Shah currently serves as Houston High’s Science Bowl Captain and personal tutor for numerous subjects, and a regular volunteer at Methodist Le Bonheur and Collierville Baptist hospital. He strongly believes that “it is incredibly important to be involved in activities of great passion because it builds character and opens the mind to new opportunities.”

Laila Sharif expresses her community involvement as the West Tennessee Vice President of TN HOSA, Houston High’s student board representative, and a proud member of Houston High’s crochet club. In her own words, “I believe that true impact is enabled through servant leadership so I dedicate my actions to serving those around me in hopes of bettering our community.”