It is 4:00 in room 3000, and Nashiha Alam is munching on a Charhouse burger, laughing amongst her friends. Once the debate practice round begins, she’s all business, taking notes on what’s being said and giving advice to the debaters once the round is over.

Not only is Alam the co-captain of the debate team, but she is also the president of Model UN, involved in Qur’an Study and Honors Society, and she is an AP art student.

NWN: What got you interested in debate?
Alam: My friend, Rimsha, recommended me and told me I’d be really good at it. I joined in November, which was in the middle of the season.

NWN: Since you started participating in debate so late in the season, were you surprised to have won the first tournament you ever attended?
Alam: I was really surprised, but I felt like winning my very first tournament was motivation for me to do really well for the rest of the season. It really taught me a lot.

NWN: Everyone on the team really knew each other before you joined, so did you have problems fitting in with the rest of them?
Alam: Not at all. The team showed teamwork and sort of a family. Everyone is very comfortable with each other, so I felt like I fit in right away. We all really got along and I hit it off with the rest of the team.

NWN: How do debate and model UN differ?
Alam: Model UN is sort of your own thinking. It’s more about international stuff that countries work on together while debate is more intense, debating about specific topics.

NWN: Are you as close with your model UN participants as you are with your debate team?
Alam: Yes, I am close with them. It’s very similar to the whole family aspect of debate.

NWN: With all of these international and political activities that you’re in, it makes us wonder what you want to be in the future. Do you have any colleges in mind?
Alam: I want to apply for political science and maybe even pursue a career in government. I’m also thinking about architecture since I’m very into art, so I’m kind of on both sides of the spectrum. Right now, my number one choice of the University of North Carolina, but my parents would like me to stay in state, so I’m also considering the U of I.

NWN: I can’t help but notice you constantly mingling with people of all grade levels. Have you always been a people person?
Alam: In my grade, I know almost everyone. I’m kind of out there, and I feel like people are very comfortable around me. They think that because I wear this thing on my head, [talking about her hijab, which she jokingly refers to as her du – rag] that I’m going to be very conservative and reserved, but I guess they’re surprised that I act so normal. It’s a shame that people think that just because I look a certain way, I’m going to act a certain way.

NWN: Since you’re so open about your religion and beliefs, do people ask you a lot of questions, and are you open to answering them?
Alam: Niles West is very diverse. People are curious and I’m comfortable answering their questions. I can talk about talk about something so complex, [like religion] and make it simple for people. I really don’t get offended.