By Laura Katauskas | Bugle Staff
After learning of a nonmalignant lung cyst as a senior at Romeoville High School, Najoua Alioualla lost hope for a volleyball career and a shot at college.
With it, she also lost a bit of her drive; but, not for long. With motivation from teachers and coaches and through her own perseverance, Alioualla found a path to success. Fast forward four years, the 21-year-old just received her Bachelor’s of Science degree, was lauded for her work on the Lakers volleyball team and recently delivered Roosevelt University’s student comencement speech.
“I would like us all to remember one very simple, yet powerful African proverb, ‘If you want to go fast in life, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together,’” Alioualla told her graduating class May 13.
An academic achiever, Alioualla was named a Katronics-NAIA Volleyball Scholar-Athlete in 2014 for her near-perfect grade point average.
She points some of that success to her teachers and the path started at RHS.
“I want students to know I’ve worked hard and I know so many of my former classmates have also had great success—don’t ever discount the teachers at RHS—they have prepared me very well for my academic career, as well as volleyball.”
When 21-year-old Alioualla considered college four years ago as a RHS senior, her inclination was to choose a school where she could continue playing volleyball even though the reality was that lung surgery left her short of breath.
Unsure about her prospects and a bit despondent over the matter, Alioualla put applying to college on hold.
After encouragement from coaches, teachers and friends who never allowed her to give up, she approached Roosevelt University Head Volleyball Coach Kelly Fitzgerald about playing for the Lakers.
Fitzgerald welcomed Alioualla to Roosevelt’s women’s volleyball team with open arms.
“I ended up loving the Lakers, and even more so, Roosevelt University. I can say without a doubt that it has been the right place for me,” Alioualla said.
“Najoua has been a hard worker. She pushed herself and others to be the best they could be,” said Fitzgerald. “I think it’s outstanding that Najoua will be the student graduation speaker. It just goes to show how hard she has worked these past four years.”
On the volleyball court as a Roosevelt Laker for three of her four years at the university, Alioualla had a starting position with the team, contributing in her first year to the Lakers 20-plus game-winning season and its first conference tournament.
During her time at Roosevelt, Alioualla has discovered there is so much more to the college experience than just volleyball.
Under the guidance of Roosevelt Associate Professor of Biology Kelly Wentz-Hunter, Alioualla and a classmate established an organization for Roosevelt students interested in careers in the medical and healthcare fields. She also worked with Wentz-Hunter on research seeking early markers of glaucoma and has taken part in RU-Reforesting, an initiative that advocates for conservation and reforestation awareness in the east African nation of Tanzania.
“She has been a major leader in nearly every activity she has taken part in at Roosevelt University,” said Roosevelt University Associate Professor of Biology Norbert Cordeiro who led a 2014 trip to Tanzania where students, including Alioualla, planted trees with the local community to alleviate land deforestation.
An immigrant from Morocco who moved to the Chicago area at 5 years of age, the Roosevelt biology major also developed a passion for social justice, nurtured by her time at the university.
“She was able to bring her experiences as a young woman, and as an immigrant who has faced various obstacles, to our work, and as a result, was able to integrate various aspects around social justice to show her true potential as a leader,” said Cordeiro. “She is certainly someone whom I expect will make a mark in the world.”
And that is what she intends to do. Next stop for Alioualla is medical school. Inspired by a childhood physician who fought to help the underserved, she hopes to pursue a career in pediatrics.
Alioualla said she was always taught by her parents, and later throughout school, the importance of inclusion and social justice and is what motivates her today.
To hear her sum it up–an excerpt from her graduation speech:
“From the very moment each of us stepped foot into this university, we were asked to buy into a plurally-singular set of values, values that call for inclusion, social consciousness, and mutual understanding, all of which encompass the true meaning of social justice. But Roosevelt did not just ‘ask’ us to adopt these values, Roosevelt has shown us through constant action what can be the product of such a mindset. And if you want proof, just take a second to look around. No two people in this room share the same experiences or background. Among those graduating today are first generation students, parents, athletes, individuals from every single continent, race, religion, sexual orientation and identity. Society tells us that this level of mutual understanding and acceptance cannot exist, and yet, here we are today celebrating this accomplishment together.”
In that same vein, Alioualla does not credit alone for her success, quick to acknowledge every coach and teacher along the way.