Whether he’s gathering donations for N.C. hurricane survivors or whichever nonprofit is the beneficiary of this year’s Charity ball, teaching younger kids soccer or Dabke, serving in the Red Cross in America or Lebanon, Adam is doing all he can for others. ¡So, vale! Let’s get to know Adam Hammoud.
As the president of Enloe’s Red Cross club, Adam holds fundraising drives for underprivileged communities and works with the statewide chapter of the Red Cross to do good. He volunteers for the Red Cross in Lebanon each summer, advocating for mental health. He hopes his service will aid in creating equal opportunity everywhere: “Everyone has value, and they should be able to pursue their aspirations without being burdened by any other aspect of society.”
Adam’s selflessness is echoed in his work with Enloe Charity Ball, which he’s found community in, “Everyone has the similar passion of giving back … [it’s] such a strong Enloe community.” His impact on Student Council doesn’t just stop at his relentless dedication to the cause, but his friendships as well. Evie Hammer, friend and fellow student council member, says, “There was this one day we were really really stressed out, it was right before Charity Ball … his energy was the only thing calming everybody else.” She continues, “If I’m ever not myself, [Adam] will notice every single time, and check in … he’ll say ‘Hey are you okay? Do you need anything?’” Another student council coworker and friend, Shailen Fofaria, says, “He brings light to everyone he’s around, and that’s why he has such strong friendships because he brings nothing but positivity and happiness to any conversation he’s a part of.”
It’s not just the Enloe community that Adam betters, but the Lebanese community of Raleigh as well. Adam grew up dancing Dabke, a traditional Lebanese dance routine, at small family events to larger festivals like Packapalooza. Through this tradition, Adam says he’s formed bonds that will last a lifetime, “It genuinely feels like a family and we push each other to be better … That’s something that’s not going to be broken, we’ll always be friends no matter where we go.” Now, Adam gets the chance to teach younger kids the dances he loves. Of course, he’s a natural. As Sophia Ishak, his teaching partner and long time friend, says, “Adam works so hard and he’s so happy through all of it … he’s really patient with kids … he’s always like ‘Sophia it’s okay, they’re learning, they’re just kids.’ He takes his time and keeps his cool.”
With so many responsibilities, you’d think Adam must be overwhelmed. But no matter what, he gets it done, “[Growing up] my Dad, when I had a lot of work to do, he’d say, ‘anything is possible.’ He’d say it all the time … and it really does apply.” Sophia knows this dedication first hand, “For my birthday this past year, he had plans that day, and no matter what, he always shows up … even if it’s only for a little bit, he’s always there.”
Adam speaks both Arabic and French at home, and along with his Spanish skills as a devout Shakira fan (and also president of Spanish Honor Society), he hopes his quad-lingualism will expand his ability to help people in his desired career path, medicine. He says, “I want to be a doctor because of the different types of people I’ve encountered … Speaking four languages opens perspectives to new worlds.”
So how did Adam get this way? If you asked him, he’d probably credit his family, “A lot of my family members have always worked to give to their community. My uncle works for the UN, [and] my dad used to drive the ambulance during the war in Lebanon.” But his best friend Aveer Patel says it’s his confidence, “[Adam is] a very rare type of person who’s always going to be kind no matter what … he is very very comfortable in who he is. If you’re mean to someone in some way … it’s normally out of your own discomfort with who you are. But Adam is … so proud to be who he is.” Evie echoes this, “[What] he’s taught me is genuinely seeing goodness and kindness in every single person … he refuses to participate in bad mouthing people. It’s a small thing, but it’s so rare.”
So wherever Adam goes, he’s going to go far. But don’t take it from The Eagle’s Eye, take it from those who know Adam the best.
“I’m excited to see him go after what he wants to do … I know with his work ethic he’ll be able to achieve any passionate goal he wants.” – Evie Hammer
“Anybody who knows Adam, you say his name and it puts a smile on their face. I know he’s going to go on and do great things.” – Sophia Ishak
“When people say this it’s normally out of bias, but Adam really is the best person. He’s the most loyal, passionate person I know. He’ll always be one of my best friends.” – Aveer Patel
“[Adam] In three words: nicest guy ever.” – Shailen Fofaria
