Cross Keys valedictorian says his success fueled by immigrant parents’ sacrifice

Abdul Azizi said when he and his family fled Afghanistan in 1983, the country was in the middle of a devastating war with Soviet forces. No one could see it ending well.

At the time, He was studying law at a university in Kabul, with a prestigious career path carved out for himself. His wife, Nabila, was studying business when she fled the country with her family at the same time.

When they made it to the United States about 32 years ago, Abdul Azizi took a job at a restaurant to help support his family, which included his mother, and a younger sister and brother.

“At that time, I needed to work,” he said. “I needed to survive. I needed to support my younger brother, sister and my mom.

“When we left Afghanistan, we left everything behind.”

They left because they wanted a better life for the family they had yet to create. Thursday, their youngest son, Harvard-bound Yusuf, graduated as valedictorian from Cross Keys High School. He said his success is the best way to repay his parents for giving up their ambitions for him.

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