FAIRFAX, Va. — Mohammad Khatibi, a young Afghan student at Mercer Middle School in Virginia, has been awarded the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, a prestigious academic honor presented by the U.S. Department of Education and the White House.
Signed by President Donald Trump and the U.S. Secretary of Education, the certificate recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, a strong commitment to learning, and exceptional character. The award is part of the President’s Education Awards Program, which has honored top-performing students across the country for over four decades.
“I’m very grateful and happy to receive this honor,” Khatibi said in a statement. “At the same time, I think of the many talented students in Afghanistan who don’t have access to such opportunities. My hope is that one day, all students can learn in safe and supportive environments, dream big, and achieve their goals. Education should be a right, not a privilege. I want my success to inspire others and to help those still striving for opportunity.”
In a message accompanying the award, President Trump praised recipients as future leaders and innovators, writing: “Our Nation will look to you for guidance and leadership. Together, we can and will launch the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country: a true Golden Age.”
From Kabul to the classroom
Khatibi arrived in the United States after fleeing Afghanistan with part of his family following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. In a short period, he distinguished himself among his peers through discipline, resilience, and academic excellence.
Mercer Middle School, in a public statement, congratulated Khatibi, calling him “an inspiring role model for other students” and applauding his achievement as a reflection of the potential within immigrant youth when given access to quality education and support.
The President’s Award for Educational Excellence is the highest honor under the President’s Education Awards Program. Eligible recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, receive recommendations from educators, and exhibit high motivation, integrity, and initiative in and outside the classroom.
Recipients are presented with a signed certificate and a personalized letter from the President of the United States. The program aims to celebrate academic achievement while encouraging students to continue striving for excellence.
For Khatibi, the award marks a milestone — not only of personal success but of what can be achieved when resilience meets opportunity. “I hope to continue learning and giving back,” he said, “especially to those still searching for a path forward.”
