For most high school students, besides the occasional Grey’s Anatomy enthusiast, being a surgeon is a profession that few can even fathom. It entails endless work hours, a plethora of information that must be learned and implemented at a moment’s notice, and most of all, a level of stress far greater than even writing a critical paper. Senior Ahnaf Tausif, however, is ready to dive headfirst into the surgical field and become one of America’s next heroes.

Tausif has been accepted into Johns Hopkins University’s class of 2027! He’s a student with big dreams and an even bigger heart, so it’s no wonder he managed to land a spot in one of the country’s top pre-med programs.

“I want to be a pediatric oncologist, basically saving little kids with cancer,” Tausif stated.

To be frank, for most people the dream of becoming an elite surgeon is one that dies out with age. Tausif, however, has taken incredible steps toward this goal as he has grown up. Besides already having been accepted into an elite pre-med program, Tausif is one of the few students who are in the Allied Health program at North Penn.

Throughout his high school years, it is clear that Ahnaf has developed an incredible work ethic. However, he claims to be just like any other student when it comes to school.

“I procrastinate a decent amount, but the important thing is working through that. The work ethic doesn’t come overnight, you’ve got to work for it,” he continued. “There’s going to be times in the day where you wonder, why am I doing this, but in the end you need to have that goal in the back of your mind,” Tausif stated.

With his goal in mind, Tausif has accomplished great things at North Penn High School. Besides his recent victory with Johns Hopkins and his involvement in Allied Health, Tausif is also a member of the NHS board, and he serves as one of our SGA cabinet members.

“One of the most important things was reaching out for help. I had a bunch of different teachers that helped me with different things. Same with other students too, me and my friends were always in it together,” Tausif stated. “Do not be afraid to ask for help. You’re going to learn so much from so many different people. Being fearful is what holds a lot of people back, but you need to advocate for yourself,” Tausif advised.

Tausif claims the biggest contributors to his success were other people. With the help of his friends, family, and teachers, he has become one of North Penn’s brightest students. And it is through this mentality that he plans on making his way through medical school and becoming a doctor.

“I don’t know much about being a surgeon, but what I do know is that I will do my best to learn as much as I can about it. That’s why you go to school, isn’t it?” Tausif stated.

For many students, a primary motive to work hard is the thought of making their parents proud. Tausif, who is a first-generation American, is no exception.

“I always want to make my parents proud, especially because they put all this work into coming here. My mom raised me herself for the first 2 years of my life while my dad was still in Bangladesh, so coming from that, I just want to make them proud,” Tausif stated.

Although Bangladesh is a nation that has taken massive strides in the past years, is still a country plagued by poverty. Knowing his family came from nothing, and risked everything to give him a chance, Tausif feels he not only owes it to his parents but owes it to himself to find success in his life.

And that is what he has done. Having known Tausif since 7th grade, it was always obvious he was bound to become someone special. Anyone around him would advocate that he is one of the kindest and most hard-working people they have ever met.

“There would be times when I would talk to Ahnaf and he would tell me he went to sleep at 3 am, just working on his schoolwork and extracurriculars,” stated Ohm Patel, one of Tausif’s best friends. “Whatever it was, whether it be classwork or a project he was pursuing, he took any necessary step to always achieve it to the best of his ability. It is truly remarkable to see his work ethic,” Patel elaborated.

The effect Tausif has had on the people around him is a testament to the greatness of his character. Whether it be organizing school dances, helping a friend study, or just sitting with him at lunch, he always managed to leave his mark on those around him.

It is with a bitter tongue that we must say goodbye to Tausif at the end of this school year. His presence is one that lights up the hallways of North Penn, and it will surely do the same at Johns Hopkins. We have all had the privilege of knowing a future superhero!