Walid Khatib’s journey with the American Red Cross started when he was only 16 during a Sound the Alarm home fire campaign. Through this program, Walid installed smoke alarms in vulnerable communities and educated them on fire safety.

“My father always instilled in me the importance of volunteering,” he said. “For me, it was an obligation, a duty to volunteer and help others.”

What began as one day of volunteering sent Walid down a long path of leadership, education, and service.

Now a student at the University of Central Florida studying political science and international relations, Walid has spent years growing within the Red Cross. His roles have ranged from teaching Hands-Only CPR and educating on water safety to eventually becoming an International Humanitarian Law instructor and an officer in the UCF Red Cross Club.

Walid credits many of his accomplishments to his mentor, Linda Collis, a fellow Red Cross volunteer. The two met six years ago during one of Walid’s first fire safety events.

“She’s been the person who always encouraged me to expose myself to different opportunities in volunteering with the Red Cross,” he said. “Any success I’ve achieved, whether with volunteering or with my personal life, a big part of that is due to the lessons I’ve learned through her.”

Walid delved deeper into humanitarian education and became one of the first college students to get endorsed as an International Humanitarian Law (IHL) instructor. In this role, he teaches students at various high schools and universities about the laws of international armed conflict, the mission of the Red Cross, and the importance of humanitarian principles during wartime.

His role in the Red Cross and his education in political science both solidified to Walid the importance of leadership as well as educating and helping as many people as possible.

“The impact you can make alone, no matter how high, will always pale in comparison to the impact you can make with others,” he said. “It’s one thing to reach the top, it’s another thing to go back down, lend your hand, and help others.”

Walid was recently awarded a scholarship that will take him abroad to further his education in political science and international relations. Although his future may take him across the world, Walid says the principles of the Red Cross will stay with him forever.

“When we’re talking about humanity and the main mission of the Red Cross, which is to alleviate suffering wherever it’s found, these are things that I will forever be trying to achieve and contribute to.”

Walid feels strongly about encouraging everyone to believe in themselves and their abilities to unite and help others. He hopes his story will encourage young people to push themselves to step outside their comfort zones and reach their full potential.

He calls this philosophy “Leap Forward."

“There’s going to be a gap between where you are and who you want to be, where you want to go. The only way for you to cross that gap is to leap forward,” he said. “Take care of those in your charge, be the best version of yourself, and create the largest amount of impact you can make.”