Florida Tech Senior Crowned Miss Arab USA

Florida Tech interdisciplinary science major, Baian Taleb, was crowned Miss Arab USA on Sept. 10.

Although her family settled in Melbourne, Fla. when she was just 5 years old, Taleb has always had a strong connection with her culture and her Arabic identity.

“As Miss Arab USA I become a representative for the Arab Americans,” Taleb said. “This means a lot to me because people in Arabic countries do not know how Arab Americans live or even if they still identify with the Arabian Identity. As an Arab American I learned so much from both cultures, and I can’t wait to reveal their beautiful colors.”

Since her father was an aviation student at Florida Tech when they first moved to Florida, Taleb knew she wanted to stay close to home at a familiar place, and study the sciences.

“I met some of the most hard-working, driven and intelligent ladies in the STEM program,” Taleb said. “They not only want to teach future generations, but I can tell they are whole-heartedly invested in creating a better tomorrow.”

With her busy schedule as Miss Arab USA, Taleb will have to juggle her senior coursework, as well as her duties and engagements that come with her new title.

“I will be taking on activities as an ambassador for humanity and goodwill,” Taleb said. “I will be attending fundraising events and visiting in support of a wide range of causes such as children’s and veteran’s hospitals, women’s and homeless shelters, orphanages and refugee or disaster relief.”

Thousands of Arab American women apply for the Miss Arab USA Pageant every year. They must submit an online portfolio. From these submissions, 100 are selected for phone interviews and 20 finalists are invited to compete at the final event. Taleb sees the title as a platform for continuing her humanitarian efforts and supporting other Arab American women.

After graduating from Florida Tech, she plans to attend dental school in Miami.