For years, Westerville South High School senior Abdullah Alobeidi has worked more than 40 hours a week at his father’s automotive body repair shop, getting hands-on experience in an industry he’d like to pursue once he graduates.
Under a new pilot initiative for students attending the Educational Options for Success (EOS) program, Alobeidi applied his work experiences towards a high school elective credit and completed requirements for an OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal — one of two graduation seals students must earn as part of new graduation requirements for the Class of 2023 and beyond.
Students can choose from 12 seals that enable them to demonstrate academic, technical and professional skills and knowledge that align to their passions, interests and planned next steps after high school.
“We are extremely excited to be able to offer this option to our students,” said Dawn Sayre, director of College and Career Pathways at Westerville City Schools. “As we continue our efforts to create opportunities for our students to immerse in the workforce as part of their educational journey, this is an outstanding example of what these types of creative and innovative options can do for our students in achieving their future goals.”
“We are grateful to Abdullah for paving the way for future WCS students to access this type of experience.”
As part of the work-based learning credit pilot, EOS students must complete 250 hours of work in a semester to earn the 0.5 credit towards graduation. Alobeidi, who has been taking EOS classes since last year, is the first WCSD student to complete the requirements and earn the credit.
“It was the perfect opportunity for me to just apply for it and get it done,” he said. “It’s really helped me out.”
Alobeidi was born in Iraq and moved to Syria to escape war when he was 3 — only to leave several years later when a civil war erupted in 2011. His family fled to Jordan before moving to Massachusetts to stay with a friend. His father, who dreamed of opening his own body shop, struggled to find work on the East Coast. He connected with another friend in Central Ohio, who invited him to stay while he tried to find work. His father secured a job and after three months, he was able to rent a home for Alobeidi and the rest of their family to move to Westerville. His father opened Master Auto Body Shop about a year later when Alobeidi was in middle school.
Alobeidi said he always wanted to work for his father, admiring his work ethic when he was a teenager. His father had to financially support his family at 13, when Alobedi’s grandfather died.
“In my country, you don’t get paid hourly or don’t get paid work,” Alobeidi said. “You go out and try to make money and then go back home.”
His father worked on cars to support his family while going to school. Alobeidi wanted to do the same. He started working at his father’s body shop at 15, serving as an intermediary between customers and his father, who speaks little English. He orders parts for cars from dealers and after-market retailers. He can operate car frame-straightening equipment and help fix electrical and cosmetic damages.
“He's an exceptional young man that comes to school every day with a smile and positive attitude,” said Nick McIlwain, director of Alternative Education & Assessment.
Alobeidi is working on his last two classes at EOS and will be a high school graduate soon. He plans to continue his education by obtaining certifications in the automotive industry so that one day he can take over his parent's business.