Our Dreams: Class of 2008

2008 Gehlen Catholic High School graduate Shahryar Naqvi hopes to become a lawyer so he can "represent the little guy." Naqvi became interested in law through a history class he took his junior year. [Click to enlarge]

This is the fourth story in a series looking at what plans and dreams local members of the graduating class of 2008 hope to pursue.

For Shahryar Naqvi, the desire become a lawyer isn't motivated by fame, fancy things, or even the money that is commonly associated with the practice. For this 2008 Gehlen Catholic High School graduate, the aspiration to become a lawyer lies in one, pure motive: To achieve equality for the little guy.

That is why Shahryar will be attending the University of Iowa this fall as a Political Science major.

"Trying to understand the political system is the main thing I want to get out of this major," explained Naqvi. "I think it's amazing how all these rules that were made a long time ago still govern how we live today. It's also interesting how laws get changed to benefit today's society."

After graduating from the University of Iowa, Shahryar plans to attend law school. He's unsure where, but his indecision is certainly excused as he's only wanted to be a lawyer for about two years.

"Ever since I can remember, I've always wanted to be a doctor like my dad," said Naqvi. "It wasn't until my junior year that I realized I just couldn't do it -- I didn't want to."

His junior year's anatomy class was to thank for the revelation.

"It was a great class, it's just everything about it was so intricate. Being a doctor didn't seem to interest me after that."

Shahryar's inspiration to become a lawyer didn't come from watching a court TV show or getting hooked on a hit television drama, but from where many students' inspiration comes from -- a teacher. Specifically Naqvi's history teacher, Richard Seivert.

"Ironically enough, I took Mr. Seivert's history class that same year in school, and I found it really interesting when he emphasized how court cases that were decided in the past shape how we live today," said Shahryar. "Often when society changed, it was because of a trial, like the Scopes Monkey Trial or Brown v. Board of Education."

Shahryar went on to explain how his decision to pursue law was greatly supported by his parents, Dr. Shahid and Yasmin Naqvi.

"My parents are my role models," Shahryar said without hesitation. "I admire how they came to a completely different country to start a better life for their children."

The Naqvi's moved to the Baltimore area from Karachi, Pakistan when Shahryar was just six months old. From Maryland, the Naqvi family moved to Fairfield, Iowa before moving to Le Mars about four years ago. Shahryar still has several family members in Pakistan, including his grandmother. He also has a sister, Sana, who will be a sophomore at Gehlen next year.

"We moved to Le Mars during my freshman year of high school," said Naqvi. "I was the first Muslim student to ever be enrolled at Gehlen Catholic. It was hard at times, but I really learned a lot. I was very welcomed by everyone, and I think I broke down some stereotypes associated with Middle Easterners, too."

Shahryar was very active in Gehlen's extra-curricular activities. He was involved in student council as the president for the past two years, quiz bowl team, speech team, drama, journalism and yearbook class, was an honor roll student, and went on the school mission trip to Honduras this past March.

"I really enjoyed my time at Gehlen," Naqvi said. "It was great to overstep some boundaries and break down some barriers along the way."

Shahryar said his experience in bringing down social walls in his own life will help him in the courtroom as well. When asked what kind of law he wanted to become involved in, Naqvi said he is open to all kinds, but has a special passion for civil rights cases.

"I love how the little guy is always represented by the lawyer, especially in the racial discrimination cases," beamed Shahryar. "Guys like Abraham Lincoln, Thurgood Marshall, Clarence Darrow -- they're pretty much my heroes."

Even though his original plans to become a doctor changed, Shahryar said he'll still be helping people, just in a different way.

"I broke down the barriers in my own life, and I want to help others find the same equality I've been shown," he said. "That's why I want to be a lawyer."