This here below is a short story of Tarek's life, as told using the words of his closest friends... That is how they remember him... A story that each collaborated on, with love...

 

"The 20th of May 1997, Tarek was born. A bit chubby, with one or two blond hairs showing up. Tarek grew up in a very healthy environment, with his parents, Zena and Ziad, without forgetting Nazih, his older brother probably happy to welcome the newcomer, his brother, his best friend, his partner in crime, the one with whom life was enjoyable. 

In 2000, Tarek started school in Collège Protestant Français. A school that witnessed the childhood adventures of Tarek, his adolescence, his jokes, his laugh and most importantly, the huge stamp he leaves on the people he met, from professors, to students, to staff members.

Tarek is a bright student, and his family hoped he would opt for being a doctor, like his maternal grandfather. These hopes rapidly faded when Tarek expressed with words and actions his hate for biology. Math and Arts are more characteristic of his personality.

However, Tarek's impact goes way wider than the classroom or the school. He enjoyed an important part of his journey in Tilal, getting to know people, making fun of them, always with a humor that hides kindness and love. Tilal also means ski season for Tarek. When Tarek steps on the snow, nothing can stop him.

Since the world offers many surprises, Tarek travelled from a country to another, to discover what the world offers. From France, to Spain, to the U.S., to Switzerland... all these countries have Tarek's stamp on them. Tarek grew up, and became an independent young man. That's when he travelled to the U.S. at 16, for five weeks, with friends, to study at Phillips Academy, a prestigious institution for young adults with ambition and a bright future ahead of them. He learned about astronomy and robotics in there, and was able to demonstrate his skills on tennis courts. The way Tarek plays tennis clearly demonstrates the person he is. Always ambitious and devoted, but never forgetting that friendship come first. Tarek's friends at Phillips Academy came from several countries, of different continents. People with different cultures, ethnicities, ideas... Tarek learned how to appreciate this diversity, and made many friendships of whom some last until now. He touched so many souls, he imprinted himself in so many lives that everybody seems to carry him in them. He taught his friends and family a huge life lesson: 'never give up in order to find happiness.' He was always helping people get through their hardest days, he drew smiles on hundreds of people's faces and always knew how to cheer them up. Tarek lived a happy life, not a long one, but a happy one. We see him as a role model: even if he went through a lot, he still walked around with the biggest smile on his face and that's how we will always remember him."