,
e
exontan
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT KING'S ACADEMY
I
VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2
I
MADABA-MANJA, JORDAN
A Noble Pursuit: Story of Jordan's First Nobel Prize Winner Inspires Young People By Banah Allawama '27
or his groundbreaking work in chemistry, Professor Omar Yaghi made history on October 8, 2025, as the first person from Jordan to ever win a Nobel Prize. Rexonian reporters, Banah Allawama '27 and Yousuf AlWahsh '26, met with Prof. Yaghi virtually just six days after he won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The interview's discussion revolved around his path from Jordan to becoming one of the world's leading chemists. Born in Amman, Jordan, Prof. Yaghi is one of the three scientists behind the groundbreaking work in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These tiny structures contain empty spaces that can capture water from the air,
F
Rexonian reporters interview Jordan's first Nobel Laureate (The Rexonian)
store gases, or hold energy, opening new possibilities for addressing climate and sustainability challenges. He spent decades building a career that bridges together scientific research and global challenges. Currently
PreMed Club Observes Open Heart Surgery ~::=::;i;~---"
Jordan University Hospital surgeons conduct a heart surgery as witnessed by King's PreMed Club (Yasmina Fakhouri '28)
a Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, Prof. Yaghi is known as the founder of reticular chemistry, a field that allows scientists to design materials molecule by molecule. By Tusem Yaseen '28 and Yasmina AlFakhouri '28
King's Academy PreMed Club students witnessed an openheart surgery at Jordan University Hospital of a 14-month-old patient from Gaza on Thursday, January 22. The PreMed Club worked with Gift of Life Jordan, a nonprofit that provides treatment to children with congenital heart defects, to facilitate the opportunity for students to shadow medical personnel. The surgery that the students witnessed was part of the Jordanian Medical Corridor initiative that was launched in line with Royal directives to provide
Long before winning the Nobel Prize, his work had already changed modern chemistry. He received several major international awards, including the Wolf Prize in Chemistry, the King Faisal International Prize in Science, and the Gregori Aminoff Prize. In Jordan, his achievements were recognized by His Majesty King Abdullah II, who honored Prof. Yaghi as a symbol of Jordanian excellence on the global stage. By the time Prof. Yaghi received the Nobel Prize, his work was already shaping the future. His materials were being studied and applied around the world, from capturing carbon to pulling water from dry air. What began as an intellectual curiosity had grown into tools with real impact. SEE NOBEL ON PAGE 5
healthcare and medical support to Palestinians from Gaza. The infant patient had to undergo surgery to correct Atrial Septal Defect and Ventricular Septal Defect, conditions caused by holes in the walls separating the chambers of the heart. Students were inside the operating room as the surgery took place. They saw the patient's exposed and beating heart up close as doctors conducted the operation. The patient was surrounded with monitors, ventilators, and heart-lung machines that sustained her tiny body. SEE SURGERY ON PAGE 6
Speakers, Audiences "Thinl{Again" at TEDxl(ingsAcademy 2026 By Romina Rodriguez Cardenas '28
TEDxKingsAcademyreturned to the stage with eight speakers who shared stories that got the King's community to "Think Again," the event's theme, on Thursday, January 22. The event featured three student speakers and five guest speakers, ranging from artists, authors, educators, entrepreneurs, to mental health advocates. One of the guest speakers was HRH Princess Noor bint Assem,
who highlighted that growth and education are not only about performance but about emotional well-being. "What if the problem isn't that school is hard?" Princess Noor remarked in her talk. "What if the problem is that we expect young people to focus and learn, when they still don't even know how to feel safe in their own body? Princess Noor founded Moments, an initiative that promotes mental health awareness. SEE TEDX ON PAGE 6
I
FEBRUARY 2026
Special Interview with a Classroom Comeback
By Banah Allawama '27
We caught up with one of the familiar faces who returned to campus this year: Mr. Ahmad Freihat '16. Now a new faculty member in the Department of Communication, Rhetoric, and the Literary Arts (CRLA-English),he shared his thoughts on coming back to King's as a teacher. Rex: How does it feel to be back at King's?
Mr. Ahmad: At first, it felt like just another job, especially with only teachers on campus. But once the students arrived, it became nostalgic. It made me remember sitting in those same spots as a student. Now, I'm focused on figuring out what kind of King's teacher I want to be, as it's very different from other schools. Rex: What is one memory that stands out from your days as a King's student?
Mr. Ahmad: A formative memory is of my English teacher, Mr. Chris Boss. He always said, "Do not preface it, just say it." He would stop students if they started an answer with "Okay, I know this might be wrong ..." you know just say what you have to say. Rex: What do you enjoy most about teaching at King's?
Mr. Ahmad: I enjoy how teachers and students interact on a daily basis. For example, a conversation in the dorm about a video game can lead to connecting with a history teacher to make a lesson more engaging. Everyone at King's is willing to dive into their passions, which is shown by the number of clubs and initiatives. TEDxKingsAcademy celebrates after months of preparation (King's Academy website)