Introduction

Me being a first child to my parents, had to go through many twists and turns in initial part of my life, as I was born to ambitious parents who experimented with various things in their life and even shifted continents in pursuit of their career. I started my schooling very early as both of my parents are working and had to shift between different Day care centers and Pre kindergarten schools as my parents had to  move due to their jobs.  I started my  primary education in Hyderabad  and moved to United States of America at the age of 7 and had to go through testing procedures as an international Student. It was a big change for me geographically, Culturally and emotionally as I  left all my extended family back in India and moved to this country with my parents.  But within six months my Mom took a decision of moving back to India and had to go to a different school, becauseI had to live with my grand parents which is  again a big shift for me to leave my parents this time and stayed with my grand parents. Within Six months again my Mom  moved back to the USA along with me and my brother. Though it was a bit hard I  adjusted to  this culture and schooling.   In the whole process I never remembered  complaining  despite of my difficulties in adjusting with new circumstances every time. My biggest obstacle was  having  to find friends every time I moved.

Even in America  I had to move several times. I started in North Carolina, moved to Philadelphia and then moved to Houston within a two year time frame.  Finally when I  came to Middle school, my parents chooses to stay  in Katy and stick with Katy ISD.  Although I went to  two middle schools within Katy ISD.

Then I got time to look for extra circular activities outside the school.  I started playing the Violin,   learning traditional dance (Kuchipudi)  and took vocal  lessons (Carnatic music).  After getting into high school, I had  to choose between dance and music and ultimately decided to continue my dancing career. 

I have been learning Kuchipudi dance from Guru Vendantham Raghava from Vedhantham Kalakshetram.  I have performed many individual performances and was a part of two big dance ballets such as Srinivasa kalyanam and Rama katha Saram from Vedantham Kalakshetram.  I continue to learn this form of art in spite of my busy high school schedules.  I dedicates all my Friday evenings to dance as classes goes anywhere between 2 to 4 hours. I am  planning to do a Bachelors degree in this form of art while I am attending University.

I am fond of learning my mother tongue in formal way and started school in  8th grade.  I  spend 2 hours every Sunday for in class instruction and 30 mins everyday for practice at home.  I have been  going to this school since 2013 and now am currently is in my 5th year of Telugu School.  I have achieved 16 point Language credit and will write my senior level exam this year through which  will  get me 32 point Language credit from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University.

I  found interest in Taekwondo.  This has helped me improve my focus and concentration. It helped me manage the stress of junior year  as well. I am aiming for Black belt and would like to continue even after high school.

Being born to compassionate parents, I have developed an interest in educating the less fortunate people in Rural India.  I used to visit Tsunami affected kids who have single parents along with parents who are sponsoring  their education.  This gave me  more insight about Rural education. I continue to support where ever I can to their well being.  I donated all of my 13th birthday gifts   to  kids with cancer in Houston. I  am sponsoring a child's education with the money that I received for my 15th birthday.

With the help of teachers and my Paternal Aunt, who is working as a teacher in rural India. With the help of my aunt, I designed a program that matches their curriculum to decrease primary school dropouts and encourage attendance. In rural India, many students believe that school is a waste of time and directly enter the menial labor market. From America, I have sent stickers to motivate the kids and fun worksheets to encourage learning in a fun manner. After the program I have designed ended, my aunt saw a significant change in their grades before and after my involvement.

I found myself passionate about art and started taking classes outside of school. I initially went to few classes and then to summer camps, and then finally enrolled in full time classes. I am currently in the third year of art classes. 

I want to serve the needy people in the society. To achieve this, I started my own Non-profit Organization SAIOM (Simple Academic Intelligence & Objective Minds) with my family and extended family.