With Gratitude: Sitaara, Nethra, Jonathan, Risha, and the Mentors Behind the Journey

As I enter the second semester of my senior year, I am closing one chapter while moving into the next stage of growth. Many of the roles and commitments I began earlier in high school are evolving, either through advancement to higher levels, such as district leadership, or through a shift toward more focused and high-impact research opportunities.

This transition allows me to build on what I have learned while making space for work that reflects deeper responsibility, scale, and purpose. Before moving forward, I want to recognize the people who helped shape this journey.

Lions Clubs International Card Event

Sra. Yale Retirement - Last Day

First, I want to recognize my teachers, especially Sra. Yale and Sra. Gerdes. They did far more than teach Spanish. They pushed me to speak when I doubted myself. They trusted me with leadership in my clubs. They helped me see that my voice mattered and that I could communicate with confidence across dialects and cultures. Their mentorship shaped how I present ideas and how I carry myself today.

Allen and Saathvik buying wood

I also want to thank my Lions Club International team. We have been working together since our freshman year. Even through junior year pressure, senior year applications, and busy schedules, we kept showing up. Right now, we are still building a community garden in partnership with our city government. That commitment taught me responsibility and persistence, and I am grateful for every late meeting and long discussion.

My Mentor: Mrs. Brandi

Some of the most meaningful relationships began through hospital volunteering.

Sitaara has been with me through nearly everything. Research, volunteering, shadowing, school, and the moments in between. She supported me during stressful deadlines and celebrated the small wins 🤍. Working alongside her made demanding work feel manageable. I am deeply thankful for her constant presence and trust.

Nethra played a key role in my research and cadaver lab journey. She helped connect me to virtual research opportunities and collaborated with me on projects that expanded my thinking. Even the short projects we worked on together had a lasting impact on how I approach research today.

Jonathan has been a powerful collaborator. Although we began working together more recently, our work has been focused and productive. We have had professional disagreements (ha ha), but those moments strengthened the outcomes. I value his honesty, commitment, and the results we created together.

I also want to thank Risha, whose support has been steady and meaningful. Her guidance and reliability helped me stay grounded during busy academic periods.

Finally, I want to recognize Mrs. Brandi. While I did not conduct extensive research with her, her trust in me mattered. Her guidance during the college application process and her belief in my potential made a difference I will not forget 😊.

Looking Ahead

Growth does not happen alone. It happens through people who teach, challenge, trust, and stand beside you. As I move forward into a more focused chapter of research and impact driven work, I carry these lessons with me. I am grateful for every conversation, every disagreement that led to clarity, and every moment of support. This is not an ending. It is a foundation.

Thank you for helping me build it.