Aliha Ali and Areesha Faisal, Pakistani American students at Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, have left an indelible mark on their peers, school administration, and the community at large with a poignant senior graduation video. Their professionally crafted production is now earning widespread acclaim across the district.
Co-founders of the Pakistan Youth Forum and integral members of the school’s CTV broadcast team, Aliha and Areesha led the creation of a senior “signing out” video honoring the Class of 2025’s 400 graduating students. Aliha, serving as the project’s producer, and Areesha, directing the piece, brought their creative vision and technical expertise to life.
Initially shared on Clements High School’s official platforms, the video quickly gained attention for its quality and emotional impact. It has since received accolades from Fort Bend County officials for its outstanding production value and the initiative demonstrated by its student creators.
Clements High School, home to a diverse student body of over 2,000 students from various international backgrounds, is part of the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD), the sixth-largest in Texas and renowned for its cultural diversity, serving more than 80,000 students across 83 campuses.
“This video was more than a farewell,” remarked a school administrator. “It was a heartfelt tribute to their peers and the collective journey they’ve shared. That it was crafted by two of our students underscores the power of student leadership and voice.”
Both Aliha and Areesha have consistently shown dedication to media storytelling and youth involvement. As anchors for CTV’s news bulletin, they have highlighted school stories that reflect student life, amplify diverse voices, and address community issues.
Their latest project transcends a typical senior send-off; it represents a milestone in student journalism and civic engagement, particularly for South Asian youth in Texas. As they prepare for graduation, the recognition from Fort Bend County marks a fitting conclusion to their high school journey and a powerful testament to the impact of student-driven media.
“This acknowledgment reinforces the importance of representation,” noted Aliha Ali. “It’s not just about visibility; it’s about having the opportunity to share meaningful stories.”
“We wanted every student to feel acknowledged and celebrated—because every journey at Clements is unique. This was our way of saying, ‘We accomplished this together,’” added Areesha Faisal.
With creativity, cultural pride, and community spirit, Aliha and Areesha have paved the way for student-led storytelling and paved the way for more diverse narratives in school media. As the Clements High School Class of 2025 moves forward, their story will undoubtedly shine as one of its brightest highlights.
