Now a college freshman, Razaan Killawi was one of the unfortunate cohort of students to graduate during the pandemic. But this didn’t keep the young artist from earning one of few coveted scholarships from College Board, in partnership with Khan Academy, to prepare for her future.
Hayat spoke with Killawi about her art, the scholarship, her community and her plans for the future.
Razaan Killawi gears up for college with $40,000 scholarship
Killawi joins the ranks of just 27 other students around the nation to earn the 2021 $40,000 “Complete Your Journey” Scholarship winners. The scholarship comes from College Board, which partners with Khan Academy to offer students better opportunities and brighter futures.
The scholarship began last year, to bolster students during the difficult years of the pandemic. So far, they have awarded $2 million to help students secure their futures in college.
Art and community are close to Razaan Killawi’s heart
Killawi was born in Detroit, Michigan to Syrian immigrants. She has a twin sister, as well as five other older siblings.
“Growing up in Detroit, you grow up around so many different people…I grew up around many different cultures,” Killawi says. “My parents really emphasized service and giving back to the community.”
In the future, she hopes to continue her art, and bring it back to her community.
“One of my biggest dreams is to open a small art studio in Detroit,” she says. “Having access to art and art materials is really rare for a lot of inner-city kids. My parents would have to drive me out to do any art activities. So my dream is to be able to have an art studio and give students those opportunities.”
“I’ve always like art and being creative, but during Covid I was finally able to have a lot of time to focus on it…I felt like I got to know a lot more about myself, and express my ideas in such a fun, special way.”
Check out more of Razaan Killawi’s art here.
