Meet Your 2017 Coaches

Sara Eddekkaki

"It's cliche to say this, but MIST changed my life. I knew it would from my sophomore year of high school. Over the years I looked forward to improving my skills for competition and seeing the same rivals that motivated me. I put my heart and soul into making the team as strong as it is today. Looking back on it, we grew from 12 students to almost 40. I'm so proud of each student and coach who puts in effort to keep the flame burning. I'm especially proud of the students who aren't even Muslim but still come back year after year because MIST was that special to them. They're the reason I worked so hard to make the MIST experience great for the team. We're from different nations, but we all have the same claws. Let's go, Panther Nation."

Yasin Hossain

"Being a first year coach for Panther Nation, so far it has been a great experience, everyone has high energy and they're all in it to win it. The theme this year is very beautiful, we all should look for the beauty in all of everyone's imperfections, always pick each other up when we're down, lend a hand to anyone in need, and just continue to live and love your life no matter how bad it may seem, it'll get better soon enough because there's always a rainbow at the end of a storm. This is was MIST means to me and this is what it's teaching me, making my mind focus on what's more important."

Nesreen Kiwan

MIST means gathering high school students to learn more about Islam by competing against each other and learning new communication, leadership skills and strategies to deal with stereotype.

Habeebah Patel

"It's that time of year again where I get to see all of these inspirational and talented kids who make us proud. I have been a coach for Panther Nation for the past two years and every time I go I come back home as one proud momma to all these kids. MIST is a place to come together in the spirit of competition, experience new cultures, and make long-lasting friendships. See you all soon!"

Rey Benitez

"I feel very excited about this year. Seeing the team work together to create something makes me really proud of them for sticking through with it and pushing each other. As a previous competitor, I made sure I was involved in mist the years I couldn't compete by helping the team execute any plans that they had, and I'm so pumped to see the results of their hard work in 2017."

Alberto Gomez

"Mist is a great opportunity for students to challenge each other and express themselves in the many categories offered. As coaches we seek to drive the creativity and passion out of them to help mold that into an amazing project."