For DonorsFor Applicants
user profile avatar

Anshul Shirude

1,505

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I am Anshul Shirude and some adjectives you would describe me as would be creative, passionate, hardworking individual looking to make a positive change in our society. Reflecting on the past six to eight months, a metamorphic transformation has opened the doors to unexplored qualities about myself. I have become both a civically responsible Burlington citizen and a confident public-speaker who mobilized nuanced successes for myself and society. I have raised over $10,000 for local food pantries hit hard due to the pandemic. Additionally, I achieved a mini grant through an organization known as Peace First. I used the money to distribute 600+ custom wristbands and Thank You cards to our unnoticed frontline heroes to raise awareness for mental health and assure that we are with you. The wristbands were specifically designed with Bonded Forever and unsung heroes written on it. My future goals are to combine community service and computer science to design a new teaching tool engineered towards educating the future. Through my past experience, I hope to change the world.

Education

Northeastern University

Bachelor's degree program
2021 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Computer Science
  • Minors:
    • Mathematics, General

Burlington High School

High School
2017 - 2021

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      computer science

    • Dream career goals:

      Company founder focused towards combination with community service and environmental progress.

      Sports

      Track & Field

      Junior Varsity
      2017 – 20203 years

      Soccer

      Junior Varsity
      2017 – 20203 years

      Tennis

      Varsity
      2017 – 20203 years

      Awards

      • Middlesex League All Star
      • Tennis League Championship Title

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        Sponsor-A-Basket — Founder
        2020 – Present
      • Advocacy

        Individual — Founder - Through a mini grant achieved from PeaceFirst, and to enlighten the spirits of our society, I have created custom wristbands for all of the frontline workers. The entire town’s frontline heroes will wear identical wristbands emphasizing a mutual belief - our community will continue to grow and stay connected.
        2020 – Present
      • Volunteering

        New England Maharastra Mandal Kids for Kids — President
        2016 – 2017
      • Volunteering

        Burlington Public Library — Volunteer
        2015 – 2018
      • Volunteering

        Adopt-A-Class — Member
        2017 – Present
      • Volunteering

        Lahey Clinic — Member
        2018 – 2018
      • Volunteering

        National Honor Society — Inducted - community service lead
        2019 – Present
      • Advocacy

        Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh — Senior Lead - "Mukhya Shikshak" & Organizer - "Karyakartha"
        2011 – Present
      • Advocacy

        Independent — Founder
        2020 – Present
      • Volunteering

        Shishubharati Lexington MA. Indian Language and Culture — Teacher's Assistant, Sr. Library Lead
        2017 – Present
      • Volunteering

        Indepndent — Organizer
        2020 – Present

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Volunteering

      Philanthropy

      Pandemic's Box Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. The school was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable morale of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came to me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact on the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. During Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (shakha), weekly social and cultural gatherings, I opted to initiate a multi-week discussion about mental health for the first time. This required me to step outside of my bubble. Generally, adults take charge of disquisitions, but with my unique approach, I was offered a chance at multiple branches to present the benefits of mental health: positive time-management, self-confidence, and “SMART” goals. Reflecting on the past few months, a metamorphic transformation has opened the doors to unexplored qualities about myself. I have become both a civically responsible Burlington citizen and a confident public speaker who mobilized nuanced successes for myself and society. While building volunteer characteristics, reaching out to frontline heroes, and assisting local pantries, I have lit faces and paved the path to a united community.
      WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. The school was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable moral of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came to me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact on the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. During Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (shakha), weekly social and cultural gatherings, I opted to initiate a multi-week discussion about mental health for the first time. This required me to step outside of my bubble. Generally, adults take charge of disquisitions, but with my unique approach, I was offered a chance at multiple branches to present the benefits of mental health: positive time-management, self-confidence, and “SMART” goals. Reflecting on the past few months, a metamorphic transformation has opened the doors to unexplored qualities about myself. I have become both a civically responsible Burlington citizen and a confident public speaker who mobilized nuanced successes for myself and society. As Denzel Washington honorably acclaimed, “At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” While building volunteer characteristics, reaching out to frontline heroes, and assisting local pantries, I have lit faces and paved the path to a united community.
      Brady Cobin Law Group "Expect the Unexpected" Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. The school was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable moral of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came at me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact on the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. In a similar way, computer scientists are leading a mission to maximize energy production and I want to be part of that change. During high school, the Students for Environmental Action club led a proposition and confirmed a bill to the town focused on a plastic bag ban. As secretary, we proposed energy-efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. Recently, as president, I was granted approval for planting Spruce trees across the town enhancing community development, and addressing climate change. Throughout high school, I have helped my environment take shape and it will be enhanced in college. As a computer science major, my goal is to connect computer science with environmental change. I will develop an interactive simulation for students to understand how to support environmental change. They will place their feet inside the simulation and gain a deeper insight into the daily tasks (unplugging electronics, reusable plastics, saving water) that an average citizen can do for Earth. It will have customizable features addressed to every region. Additionally, it will include an image of a positive and negative future in every region. We will stop Metronome’s digital clock before the effects of global warming become irreversible. I will supplement the simulation with mini projects, public speakers, and information sessions. The past generations will not change the future, but the future generations will under the proper guidance. We must educate the youth! I hope to leave a legacy behind that I changed the future of students internationally.
      Charles R. Ullman & Associates Educational Support Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. The school was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable moral of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came at me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact on the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. During Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (shakha), weekly social and cultural gatherings, I opted to initiate a multi-week discussion about mental health for the first time. This required me to step outside of my bubble. Generally, adults take charge of disquisitions, but with my unique approach, I was offered a chance at multiple branches to present the benefits of mental health: positive time-management, self-confidence, and “SMART” goals. Reflecting on the past few months, a metamorphic transformation has opened the doors to unexplored qualities about myself. I have become both a civically responsible Burlington citizen and a confident public-speaker who mobilized nuanced successes for myself and society. As Denzel Washington honorably acclaimed, “At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” While building volunteer characteristics, reaching out to frontline heroes, and assisting local pantries, I have lit faces and paved the path to a united community. Volunteering and serving the community has allowed me to break my shell and it is of utmost importance for everyone to do the same. In the future, I hope to serve my community, but in a unique way. 82,123 megawatts of wind energy, 71.3 gigawatts of installed photovoltaic activity, 90,000 megawatts of hydropower energy. The numbers never stop. Computer scientists are leading a mission to maximize energy production and I want to be part of that change. During high school, the Students for Environmental Action club led a proposition and confirmed a bill to the town focused on a plastic bag ban. As secretary, we proposed energy-efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. Recently, as president, I was granted approval for planting Spruce trees across the town enhancing community development, and addressing climate change. Throughout high school, I have helped my environment take shape and it will be enhanced in college. As a computer science major, my goal is to connect computer science with environmental change. I will develop an interactive simulation for students to understand how to support environmental change. They will place their feet inside the simulation and gain a deeper insight into the daily tasks (unplugging electronics, reusable plastics, saving water) that an average citizen can do for Earth. It will have customizable features addressed to every region. Additionally, it will include an image of a positive and negative future in every region. We will stop Metronome’s digital clock before the effects of global warming become irreversible. I will supplement the simulation with mini projects, public speakers, and information sessions. The past generations will not change the future, but the future generations will under the proper guidance. We must educate the youth!
      BIPOC Educators Scholarship
      Planting a tree with your bare hands. Putting together the parts of a puzzle. Learning to paint. Precisely writing and memorizing the 26 letters in the alphabet song. Solving basic addition and subtraction problems. The human embryo will never have the potential to develop unless you provide it with education. Education is vital to our daily lives. It has united civilizations. When humans learn a language, they are agreeing upon a series of sounds. Education has taught us to come together and form letters to convey different messages. We have formed our own method of communication. Additionally, diverging away from math, science, history, and English benefits; has contributed to life-changing experiences. It may have not been the backbone of my existence, but has contributed to becoming the backbone of someone else’s life. In school, everyone learns to solve math problems, understand the different types of clouds, write essays, and so much more. But something that my education has taught me that is different from others is the value in supporting one another. During the pandemic, one of my friends suffered a devastating loss in the family. The father of the household died from a heart attack and the family was torn apart. Each and every day, I reached out to both of their daughters and provided mental support. Additionally, I played board games and tried my best to relieve their stress through a different form of communication. Health and Wellness have taught me that caring for others in tough times is most important. It has taught me different tips and tricks on how to support each other when a tragedy strikes. In addition, education has expanded my mental awareness. I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Initially, I only had goals to do this project in Burlington, but due to the lack of food and the sincere request from the town, I expanded my project into nine other towns. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable moral of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant achieved from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. The Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact on the mental battle against COVID-19. Education has taught me to break my shell and form a universal shell.
      Great Outdoors Wilderness Education Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. The school was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable moral of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came at me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact on the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. Building off of that change, I would like to continue to help my community in the environmental category. The environment is being undervalued and we must do something to enlighten the youth. 82,123 megawatts of wind energy, 71.3 gigawatts of installed photovoltaic activity, 90,000 megawatts of hydropower energy. The numbers never stop. Computer scientists are leading a mission to maximize energy production and I want to be part of that change. During high school, the Students for Environmental Action club led a proposition and confirmed a bill to the town focused on a plastic bag ban. As secretary, we proposed energy-efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. Recently, as president, I was granted approval for planting Spruce trees across the town enhancing community development, and addressing climate change. Throughout high school, I have helped my environment take shape and it will be enhanced in college. As a computer science major, my goal is to connect computer science with environmental change. I will develop an interactive simulation for students to understand how to support environmental change. They will place their feet inside the simulation and gain a deeper insight into the daily tasks (unplugging electronics, reusable plastics, saving water) that an average citizen can do for Earth. It will have customizable features addressed to every region. Additionally, it will include an image of a positive and negative future in every region. We will stop Metronome’s digital clock before the effects of global warming become irreversible. I will supplement the simulation with mini projects, public speakers, and information sessions. The past generations will not change the future, but the future generations will under the proper guidance. We must educate the youth!
      Granada Hills Charter Highlander of the Year Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. The school was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable moral of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came at me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact on the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. During Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (shakha), weekly social and cultural gatherings, I opted to initiate a multi-week discussion about mental health for the first time. This required me to step outside of my bubble. Generally, adults take charge of disquisitions, but with my unique approach, I was offered a chance at multiple branches to present the benefits of mental health: positive time-management, self-confidence, and “SMART” goals. Reflecting on the past few months, a metamorphic transformation has opened the doors to unexplored qualities about myself. I have become both a civically responsible Burlington citizen and a confident public-speaker who mobilized nuanced successes for myself and society. As Denzel Washington honorably acclaimed, “At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” While building volunteer characteristics, reaching out to frontline heroes, and assisting local pantries, I have lit faces and paved the path to a united community.
      Act Locally Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. The school was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable moral of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came at me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact on the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. Building off of that change, I would like to continue to help my community in the environmental category. The environment is being undervalued and we must do something to enlighten the youth. 82,123 megawatts of wind energy, 71.3 gigawatts of installed photovoltaic activity, 90,000 megawatts of hydropower energy. The numbers never stop. Computer scientists are leading a mission to maximize energy production and I want to be part of that change. During high school, the Students for Environmental Action club led a proposition and confirmed a bill to the town focused on a plastic bag ban. As secretary, we proposed energy-efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. Recently, as president, I was granted approval for planting Spruce trees across the town enhancing community development, and addressing climate change. Throughout high school, I have helped my environment take shape and it will be enhanced in college. As a computer science major, my goal is to connect computer science with environmental change. I will develop an interactive simulation for students to understand how to support environmental change. They will place their feet inside the simulation and gain a deeper insight into the daily tasks (unplugging electronics, reusable plastics, saving water) that an average citizen can do for Earth. It will have customizable features addressed to every region. Additionally, it will include an image of a positive and negative future in every region. We will stop Metronome’s digital clock before the effects of global warming become irreversible. I will supplement the simulation with mini projects, public speakers, and information sessions. The past generations will not change the future, but the future generations will under the proper guidance. We must educate the youth!
      Rosemarie STEM Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. The school was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable moral of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came at me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact on the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. Building off of that change, I would like to continue to help my community in the environmental category. The environment is being undervalued and we must do something to enlighten the youth. 82,123 megawatts of wind energy, 71.3 gigawatts of installed photovoltaic activity, 90,000 megawatts of hydropower energy. The numbers never stop. Computer scientists are leading a mission to maximize energy production and I want to be part of that change. During high school, the Students for Environmental Action club led a proposition and confirmed a bill to the town focused on a plastic bag ban. As secretary, we proposed energy-efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. Recently, as president, I was granted approval for planting Spruce trees across the town enhancing community development, and addressing climate change. Throughout high school, I have helped my environment take shape and it will be enhanced in college. As a computer science major, my goal is to connect computer science with environmental change. I will develop an interactive simulation for students to understand how to support environmental change. They will place their feet inside the simulation and gain a deeper insight into the daily tasks (unplugging electronics, reusable plastics, saving water) that an average citizen can do for Earth. It will have customizable features addressed to every region. Additionally, it will include an image of a positive and negative future in every region. We will stop Metronome’s digital clock before the effects of global warming become irreversible. I will supplement the simulation with mini projects, public speakers, and information sessions. The past generations will not change the future, but the future generations will under the proper guidance. We must educate the youth!
      Wheezy Creator Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. The school was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable moral of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came at me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact on the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. Building off of that change, I would like to continue to help my community in the environmental category. The environment is being undervalued and we must do something to enlighten the youth. 82,123 megawatts of wind energy, 71.3 gigawatts of installed photovoltaic activity, 90,000 megawatts of hydropower energy. The numbers never stop. Computer scientists are leading a mission to maximize energy production and I want to be part of that change. During high school, the Students for Environmental Action club led a proposition and confirmed a bill to the town focused on a plastic bag ban. As secretary, we proposed energy-efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. Recently, as president, I was granted approval for planting Spruce trees across the town enhancing community development, and addressing climate change. Throughout high school, I have helped my environment take shape and it will be enhanced in college. As a computer science major, my goal is to connect computer science with environmental change. I will develop an interactive simulation for students to understand how to support environmental change. They will place their feet inside the simulation and gain a deeper insight into the daily tasks (unplugging electronics, reusable plastics, saving water) that an average citizen can do for Earth. It will have customizable features addressed to every region. Additionally, it will include an image of a positive and negative future in every region. We will stop Metronome’s digital clock before the effects of global warming become irreversible. I will supplement the simulation with mini projects, public speakers, and information sessions. The past generations will not change the future, but the future generations will under the proper guidance. We must educate the youth!
      Nikhil Desai "Perspective" Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. School was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable morale of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came at me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact in the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. During Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (shakha), weekly social and cultural gatherings, I opted to initiate a multi-week discussion about mental health for the first time. This required me to step outside of my bubble. Generally, adults take charge of disquisitions, but with my unique approach, I was offered a chance at multiple branches to present the benefits of mental health: positive time-management, self-confidence, and “SMART” goals. Reflecting on the past few months, a metamorphic transformation has opened the doors to unexplored qualities about myself. I have become both a civically responsible Burlington citizen and a confident public-speaker who mobilized nuanced successes for myself and society. As Denzel Washington honorably acclaimed, “At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” While building volunteer characteristics, reaching out to frontline heroes, and assisting local pantries, I have lit faces and paved the path to a united community. The community is stronger together, so I will take the initiative to build the community as one entity.
      Amplify Continuous Learning Grant
      Winner
      Through the past six months, I have launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. After each week of distributing food, many pantry owners expressed how the process revolved around shopping on a first come first serve basis. Additionally, I have been learning three new languages of computer science. One of which has been DrRacket, a Northeastern University college course. I developed an interactive tank-shooter game which shot missiles on-click towards the target. The other languages which I am learning on my own is Python and the final class is AP Computer Science A, Java. In Java, I created a Chess game engine using object oriented programming with all of the chess pieces (queen, bishop, knight, rook, pawn, king). Using my prior knowledge of computer science, my plan is to integrate computer science with community service and proceed with the development of a website. Through the grant, I would like to develop a website with a custom domain and portal for each food pantry. In this way, there will be a formal method of distributing food for each family. Food pantries will update the list with foods available. Then, families will shop for the items that they need. Accordingly, food pantries will be able to arrange for food to be distributed in a uniform method, can prevent crowding, and can prevent rush hour. This will be a great extracurricular project to advance my knowledge and gain a deeper insight into website development. I can work on the integration between json files and java files. There will be much to gain and will be a teaching lesson with immense benefits. The numerous benefits will offer much personal development and will serve as an invaluable tool for pantries. They will offer the portal with different tabs addressing unique parts of their pantry. There will be an about, contact info, hours, and the portal all on the various tabs. Through the grant, food pantries will have the capabilities of much development and will be able to switch to a virtual program effective for decades to come.
      Justricia Scholarship for Education
      Planting a tree with your bare hands. Putting together the parts of a puzzle. Learning to paint. Precisely writing and memorizing the 26 letters in the alphabet song. Solving basic addition and subtraction problems. The human embryo will never have the potential to develop unless you provide it with an education. Education is vital to our daily lives. It has united civilizations. When humans learn a language, they are agreeing upon a series of sounds. Education has taught us to come together and form letters to convey different messages. We have formed our own method of communication. Additionally, diverging away from the math, science, history, and english benefits; it has contributed to life-changing experiences. It may have not been the backbone of my existence, but has contributed to becoming the backbone of someone else’s life. In school, everyone learns to solve math problems, understand the different types of clouds, write essays, and so much more. But something that my education has taught me that is different from others is the value in supporting one another. During the pandemic, one of my friends suffered a devastating loss in the family. The father of the household died from a heart attack and the family was torn apart. Each and every day, I reached out to both of their daughters and provided mental support. Additionally, I played board games and tried my best to relieve their stress through a different form of communication. Health and Wellness has taught me that caring for others in tough times is most important. It has taught me different tips and tricks on how to support each other when a tragedy strikes. In addition, education has expanded my mental awareness. I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Initially, I only had goals to do this project in Burlington, but due to the lack of food and the sincere request from the town, I expanded my project into nine other towns. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable morale of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant achieved from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. The Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact in the mental battle against COVID-19. Education has taught me to break my shell and form a universal shell.
      Bold Moments No-Essay Scholarship
      Around the nation, the pandemic has changed the situation across all of our states. Food pantries are working hard to ensure they can feed the families who need our help. As a citizen of the town of Burlington and MA, I made it my mission to help families and pantries in need. I generated a list of items with the requirements of food needed by each pantry. Then, I reached out to the teachers, real-estate agents, town officials, citizens and many more to collect money. Within six months, I distributed over $10,000 worth of food to pantries across Massachusetts.
      Nikhil Desai Reflect and Learn COVID-19 Scholarship
      This is the apocalypse. This is the end. This is just the beginning. Hundreds and thousands of questions, but not a single answer. School was rolling, friends were mingling, sports were happening, and the feeling of a normal life was occurring. We cracked jokes, hosted a Backyard Olympic tourney, and credited joyful weekends with hikes and adventures. In my bubble, I stayed on track academically, played sports year-round, and engaged in a multitude of clubs in hopes of creating the most compassionate version of myself. While watching the local news, a foreign disease called coronavirus popped up in the United States. As the world was brought to a standstill, deaths rose, poverty increased, and hope faded into the darkness of the tunnel. It was my first experience viewing the pandemic’s dreadful toll on everyday workers. Our society needed to create change, but without a solution, I questioned: “how can we cure the community?” To settle the ghosts inside of me, I launched a community outreach project for pantries severely affected due to an increased burden in food: “Sponsor-A-Basket.” While envisioning the global crisis of hunger, I devised a plan that raised over $10,000 in food for ten pantries. We cleared BJ’s shelves of beans and cereal boxes and had suspectful eyes staring at us as if we were thieves. Speaking with the pantry’s volunteers, I started to ideate the unbearable morale of unnoticed frontline workers and the fear amongst the family, while dealing with potential COVID-19 patients. The question came at me provokingly, “how can I brighten their day?” Police officers and firefighters were feeling overwhelmed and I began to ponder how I could uplift their self-esteem. To lift the society’s spirits, I created 600+ custom “Bonded Forever” wristbands and thank you cards through a mini-grant from PeaceFirst. While distributing the bands and cards, I had only one goal in mind: all frontline heroes from neighboring towns will wear identical wristbands emphasizing the mutual belief of a strong and united community. When I delivered another set of wristbands, the Woburn Fire Chief, Stephen Adgate, shared his experiences of how his team felt autophobic and how the ingenuity had a heartfelt impact in the mental battle against COVID-19. Overall, living in a pandemic has produced a significant impact. While exploring the world around me, I empathize and understand deeper values and qualities about others and myself. Despite the pandemic's disastrous nature, it has provided me with an opportunity to grow out of my shell, reach out to others, and create meaningful impacts in human hearts. Speaking to others and playing a proactive role in the MA district has been a surreal experience of personal growth. During Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (shakha), weekly social and cultural gatherings, I opted to initiate a multi-week discussion about mental health for the first time. This required me to step outside of my bubble. Generally, adults take charge of disquisitions, but with my unique approach, I was offered a chance at multiple branches to present the benefits of mental health: positive time-management, self-confidence, and “SMART” goals. Reflecting on the past few months, a metamorphic transformation has opened the doors to unexplored qualities about myself. I have become both a civically responsible Burlington citizen and a confident public-speaker who mobilized nuanced successes for myself and society. As Denzel Washington honorably acclaimed, “At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” While building volunteer characteristics, reaching out to frontline heroes, and assisting local pantries, I have lit faces and paved the path to a united community.