Who am I?
Basic Information and Fun Facts
Hello again! My name is Abhinav K. Sharma. I am the youngest of three boys. Most of the year, it’s just me and my parents at home. Here are some basic fun facts about me:
- Favorite Color: Red
- Favorite Food: Plain white bread with butter
- Favorite Animal: Giraffe
- Biggest Fear: Roller coasters
- Superpower: If I could have any superpower, it would be to control all of time and space.
- I would also like to think that I have a plain, dry sense of humor.
My Fundamental Beliefs and Life Values:
At the most fundamental level, I believe that life is a journey of self-growth and public service. If one leaves the world better off than they found it, regardless of the magnitude of their actions, they have lived a successful life. With that sort of philosophy in mind, my goal in life is to be a public servant for the world. Since my biggest interests are in the social and natural sciences, I wish to improve the world through the means of science and/or politics. As much as I wish I could, I cannot wave a magic wand around and solve all of the world’s problems. Moreover, given the scope of the history of the entire universe, past, present, and future, my lifetime, that is, the timeframe in which I can act to better the world, may as well be a millisecond. Knowing this, I am motivated to work my very hardest yet live as meaningfully as possible. In doing so, I hope I can achieve my goals of helping the entire world.
Hobbies
Studying and Learning
Flexing those brain muscles for societal betterment!
I believe that everyone is a lifelong learner, and that knowledge can be attained beyond the four walls of a school building. It is also incredibly important to apply knowledge in order to help the world. As such, I take time to carefully plot out plans for studying other subjects not offered at MAMS, including everything from history to Hindu philosophy. Studying these topics on top of such a demanding schedule at MAMS has forced me to truly master time management, understand the value of hard work, and enjoy the free time that I am given.
Walking and Biking
My way of touching grass!
One of my favorite forms of stress relief is walking or biking around my neighborhood. The physical exertion required for both activities never fails to take my mind off whatever is troubling me. Moreover, especially when walking, my brain goes off on random tangents, and sometimes I observe things in nature that I find beautiful and/or interesting, taking photographs of them. I have come across everything from beautiful full moons and rainbows to roadkill. I especially enjoy nature walks. In the summer of 2023, as part of a camp called the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment, I hiked on the trail of Shenandoah National Park (see left). If I want more of a grind, then I can go on a bike ride, since the hills in my neighborhood are really steep. However, over the years, they have become increasingly easy to manage, and I find myself being able to travel farther. Even when taking a break, I realize how much I’ve grown, even in an area that I consider of secondary importance.
Video Games
It’s a-me, Mario, wahoo!
Some of my earliest and fondest memories are of playing Mario Kart on the Nintendo Gamecube with my elder brothers. These experiences have cultivated a lifelong love for gaming. I have been a faithful Super Mario fan for as long as I can remember, and cannot imagine what my life would be like without it. I have also dabbled in some other Indie games, including Undertale and Deltarune by Toby Fox. Gaming has been an important outlet for stress relief. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or down, I know that Mario will be there to save the day!
Interests
When I go to university, I plan to do a double major, where one major involves something related to environmental science and/or climatology, and the other one involves something related to history, sociology, politics, or some other social science. Indeed, I believe that our understanding of the universe can be split into two worlds: the natural world, and the human world. I seek to understand both spheres and their relationship with one another.
Environmental Science and Climatology
The world’s burning. How can we save it?
I have always found geography and Earth sciences to be very intriguing. Additionally, nature, and humanity’s ability to live and relish in its beauty and value, is one of the most precious gifts in the history of the universe as we know it. I do not want that gift to go to waste. It is this understanding, compounded with my pre-existing interests, that has led to my passion for helping the environment and climate. I hope that in learning about these facets of the natural world, I can help be on the forefront of developing solutions to the crippling issues that are environmental degradation and global warming.
Social Science
How does human society work, and how can it be changed for the better?
The world revolves around humans and the structures, systems, beliefs, and other components of global civilization they have erected. History, politics, international relations, sociology, philosophy, and economics are all topics that interest me deeply. In studying them, I have learned a lot about humanity, both good and bad. Now, when I observe events in the world around me, I can more easily contextualize them. Understanding societal structures, patterns, and beliefs helps reveal what problems exist within the world, and the possible solutions to them. Whether as a political leader or as a philosopher, I hope I can improve societal conditions for everyone.
By helping the natural and human world, I hope to accomplish my lifelong goal of leaving the world better off than I found it.
Astronomy
* * * * SPAAACE!! * * * *
Although I am not interested in pursuing this field as a career, I find astronomy and planetary science truly fascinating. I chose to study this subject for Science Team during freshman year basically on a whim, reasoning that it is a subject not taught in traditional high school classes. However, I immediately fell in love with the subject. There was something magical about learning about everything from H-R Diagrams, to the Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen cycle, subatomic particles, among other concepts. Most of these concepts were also self-taught. What is more, I have found that studying planetary science can reveal many insights about our own planet Earth.