Between playing three instruments, practicing to make the varsity basketball team, taking three AP classes, being a member of the Children’s Hunger Project and working a part-time job, there is seldom a dull moment in junior Laith Rukab’s life.

Music has been a part of Rukab’s live since he was 6 years old, and after years of practice, he now plays every type of saxophone, the piano and the drums at a high-level.

“Since I could remember,  I have always had a strong connection with music,” Rukab said. “Ever since I touched that first piano key, music has just flowed through my veins.”

Rukab takes his music talents across the county, often playing the the saxophone at local restaurants and weddings. 

“Laith is one of the most talented and hard-working individuals I have ever met,” Charles Mitchell (10) said. “I don’t know how he can play three instruments so well and still have time to work and do other things. I could never have that much one my plate.”

Rukab is also a member of the Children’s Hunger Project, a volunteer organization that gives bags of food to kids in need on the weekends.

“I love to help the kids in need because I don’t know what it feels like to not eat for a weekend, so it’s nice to help,” he said. “Being a part of the organization also gives me good business and finance experience which I will need to know for college.

Between playing music, helping the community and studying for school, Rukab still has time to work a part-time job at Chick-fil-A and practice basketball.

“I don’t know how the kid does it,”  Laith’s mother Rula said. “I feel like a never see him anymore. One day he’s has a saxophone lesson and the next day he’s playing basketball with his coworkers. ”

Rukab performs all these activities in hopes of being enrolled at the University of Central Florida to study finance and music business.

“I raised a workhorse,” Rula said. “And I couldn’t be more proud of him.”