My family includes my mom, dad, and my sister Shraddha who is currently in 8th grade. I was born in India and have lived there for 8 years. We then moved to the United States in 2016. Currently, my parents work in Boston but one of our favorite activities to do together is watch movies and comedy shows. I love to travel and get out of the house as much as I can by going on road trips and just hanging out with family friends. I finally got my license this winter so I'm excited to drive on my own now!
I have been practicing Indian Classical Dance since I was six years old. The dance form I specialize in is called Kuchipudi, which originates from Andhra Pradesh, India. Although I initially struggled and wanted to quit during my early years of learning, I am forever grateful to my mom for encouraging me to persevere through those challenging times. I learn Kuchipudi from my wonderful mentor, Sailaja Aunty, who runs the dance school Sri Kuchipudi Natyalaya (SKN). She has been an incredible guide throughout my journey. Over the years, dance has become a significant part of my life, and the friendships I’ve formed along the way are truly invaluable. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in many dance productions, portraying both male and female roles, which has been such a rewarding and enjoyable experience. In high school, I was elected captain of Tarang, a varsity-level dance team, for two consecutive years. Leading the team helped me develop essential skills like leadership, public speaking, and time management. We performed at several notable events, including the Boston Science Museum and SKN’s annual day celebrations. In addition to Kuchipudi, I also enjoy Bollywood dance and have even taught it to others. Bollywood dance, with its vibrant and energetic style, is always a favorite during parties and holiday events. At my previous school, I was a member of the South Asian Dance Team during my freshman year and the Dance Club during my sophomore year. Both years, we performed at Asian Culture Night (ACN), a school event that celebrates cultural diversity.
During COVID, one of the hobbies I picked up on was acrylic painting. I taught myself how to paint by watching YouTube tutorials. Painting became my go-to way to relax and unwind, especially during stressful times. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time to paint lately, and it makes me sad because I truly miss it!
Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to the community. Over the past few summers, I have had the privilege of volunteering at a Youth Service Institute called WooServes. This summer-only program is designed for high school students. I absolutely love this program because it allows us to visit different sites around Worcester daily and directly assist people in need. WooServes is incredibly flexible, running for just six weeks, and participants can choose the days and times they want to volunteer. My favorite volunteering experiences were at the Grafton Community Harvest and the Yes We Care program in Worcester. These opportunities have had a profound impact on both the community and me. The program is unmatched in how it makes a difference in people’s lives. It's also a great way to demonstrate commitment, make new friends, and address important community issues. I highly recommend WooServes to anyone looking for meaningful community service opportunities over the summer! WOOSERVES
