Hobbies and interests
Singing
Writing
Psychology
Business And Entrepreneurship
Acting And Theater
Politics and Political Science
Philosophy
Science
Research
Graphic Design
Theater
Social Media
Mock Trial
Reading
Adventure
Chick Lit
Classics
Contemporary
Fantasy
Realistic Fiction
Cultural
Literature
Politics
Psychology
I read books daily
US CITIZENSHIP
US Citizen
Saanvi Chigurupati
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FinalistSaanvi Chigurupati
2,760
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Nominee1x
FinalistBio
Hey! I'm Saanvi, and my story starts like this.
In October 2021, I found a new family at LINK, a secret retreat teaching high schoolers to become positive influences in their community. This experience changed my life. If I was sure of one thing when I got home, it was that I wanted that feeling to keep going. My experience was an anomaly—most students never felt valued in a school setting the way I did, which is the greatest failure of our education system.
I've worked to rebuild that sense of community for the past 3 years. I've interned for our district superintendent and County Commissioners, served as chief editor of the yearbook, directed five theatre productions, captained the mock trial team to state and regional victories, held events as a community organizer for Students Against Gun Violence, and completed a year as a National AAPI Youth Ambassador for Act2Change, a national nonprofit. My future educational goals involve continuing this work on a much larger scale.
By majoring in Learning, Equity, and Problem Solving for the Public Good at the University of Michigan, I hope to dedicate my life to creating educational policies that are centered around students feeling seen and heard in a place they spend so much of their life.
Just like my immigrant parents, overcoming fear has helped me get this far. My voice is my greatest weapon, and I hope to use it to break barriers all around the world. For now, I settle for breaking them in my community.
I'm equipped and armed to take on the world, so I hope it's ready for me.
Education
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Education, General
Downingtown Stem Academy
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Political Science and Government
- Education, General
- Law
Career
Dream career field:
Education
Dream career goals:
Work in educational policy and consulting
Teaching Assistant
IntoPrep2024 – Present10 monthsSnack Bar Manager/Catering Assistant
Applecross Country Club2022 – 20231 yearKid's Show Counselor
SALT Community Theater2021 – 2021Production Assistant, Costumer, and Backstage Manager
The Barley Sheaf Players2021 – 2021
Sports
Swimming
Club2009 – 201910 years
Research
History
Downingtown STEM Academy — Researcher and Writer2021 – 2022
Arts
Downingtown Stem Academy
TheatreThe Pepperonis, Prometheus and the God(s)Father, Wake-Up Call, Butterfinger, The Crazy Woman Show, Newsies, The Little Mermaid, Romeo and Juliet, Frankenstein, Black Comedy, Les Miserables, A Midsummer Night's Dream2020 – PresentDowningtown Area School District
Music2014 Spring Concert, 2014 Winter Concert, 2015 Spring Concert, 2015 Winter Concert, 2016 Spring Concert, 2017 Spring Concert, 2017 Winter Concert, 2018 Spring Concert, 2018 Winter Concert, 2019 Spring Concert, 2019 Graduation, 2019 Winter Concert, 2016 Graduation, 2020 Spring Concert, 2020 Winter Concert, 2021 Winter Concert, 2021 Spring Concert, 2021 Graduation, 2022 Hershey Showcase, 2022 Graduation, 2023 Graduation, 2022 Spring Concert, 2022 Winter Concert, 2023 Winter Concert, 2023 Spring Concert, 2023 Disney Showcase2014 – PresentDowningtown Middle School
TheatreFiddler on the Roof, Mary Poppins, The Taming of the Shrew2018 – 2020
Public services
Advocacy
Students Against Gun Violence — Head Community Organizer2021 – PresentPublic Service (Politics)
Downingtown Area School District Superintendent — Intern2023 – PresentPublic Service (Politics)
Chester County Commissioners' Office — Communications Intern2023 – 2023Volunteering
Downingtown Middle School — Student Volunteer2021 – 2023Volunteering
More Love Letters — Letter Writer2021 – PresentVolunteering
National Junior Honor Society — Volunteer2019 – 2020Advocacy
Black Student Union — Letter Writer2021 – 2021Volunteering
The CYWA — Cook and Server2019 – 2020
Future Interests
Advocacy
Politics
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Ken Larson Memorial Scholarship
The first thing I remember about my LINK trip is a tin of Vaseline. I heard a voice calling out for Chapstick, and as girl code dictates, I rushed up with my miracle product. The voice turned out to be my senior leader Lucy, who was effusive in her gratitude. I thought, “I’ve never met someone like her.” I loved her in an instant.
When you get invited to go on LINK, people tell you it’s about to change your life, but not much else. It is a secret weekend retreat for high school students in order to teach them to become positive influences in their community. On these annual trips, students discover their families.
The people there were like a permanent safety net—so much so that, despite being terrified of heights, I scaled a 26-foot pole and jumped off it with ease at the cheers of my fellow Creamsicles. I spent much of the weekend in shock at the ease with which we all became incredibly close. I barely knew these people, yet at the same time, I knew everything about them.
Maybe I didn’t know their favorite colors or their comfort movie or their siblings’ names, but I knew that someone was scared of secondhand grief. I knew that someone’s biggest priority was being the parent that they never had. I knew that someone would save everyone they possibly could from addiction if they had the chance. These people were so strong and real and compelling and, my god, did that make me feel like I could do anything.
LINK brought me so much joy for people, joy for watching them grow and learn to care about themselves and others, and pursuing a degree in educational policy to make the lives of young children better is an opportunity for me to nurture that excitement for building relationships. My goals are broader than just education—they center around fostering the innate empathy that we have as humans when creating systems and organizations in which children spend the majority of their lives.
At LINK, I found peacekeepers. I found students who were willing to be vulnerable and teachers who were willing to listen. I found a group of people with genuine care and passion for bettering the student experience. Every student deserves to feel supported and wanted beyond what they can contribute academically, and every teacher deserves the resources to make that happen. There needs to be a seismic shift in how we as a country treat the education system—our goal should be community, not caliber.
My dream is to take the spirit of LINK national. I want to give every school a concrete place for open and honest dialogue between all those impacted by any major decision: students, parents, teachers, and administrators. I want to place the reins in the hands of the students and teachers to advocate for their needs that aren’t being filled and build curriculums with a focus on growth and collaboration. I want to put people and their love for each other back into the heart of schools because that is truly what education is about in the first place.
From Anna & Ava Scholarship
The first thing I remember about my LINK trip is a tin of Vaseline. I heard a voice calling out for Chapstick, and as girl code dictates, I rushed up with my miracle product. The voice turned out to be my senior leader Lucy, who was effusive in her gratitude. I thought, “I’ve never met someone like her.” I loved her in an instant.
When you get invited to go on LINK, people tell you it’s about to change your life, but not much else. It is a secret weekend retreat for high school students in order to teach them to become positive influences in their community. On these annual trips, students discover their families.
The people there were a permanent safety net—so much so that, despite being terrified of heights, I quad-jumped off a 26-foot pole to the cheers of my fellow campers. I spent much of the weekend in shock at the ease with which we all became incredibly close. I barely knew these people, yet at the same time, I knew everything about them.
Maybe I didn’t know their favorite colors or their comfort movie or their siblings’ names, but I knew that someone was scared of secondhand grief. I knew that someone’s biggest priority was being the parent that they never had. I knew that someone would save everyone they possibly could from addiction if they had the chance. Maybe I didn’t know the minute details of their lives, but I knew their greatest fears and their wildest dreams. These people were so strong and real and compelling and, my god, did that make me feel like I could do anything.
LINK brought me so much joy for people, joy for watching them grow and learn to care about themselves and others, and pursuing a degree in educational policy to make the lives of young children better is an opportunity for me to nurture that excitement for building relationships. My goals are broader than just education—they center around fostering the innate empathy that we have as humans when creating systems and organizations in which children spend the majority of their lives.
At LINK, I found peacekeepers. I found students who were willing to be vulnerable and teachers who were willing to listen. I found a group of people with genuine care and passion for bettering the student experience. Every student deserves to feel supported and wanted beyond what they can contribute academically, and every teacher deserves the resources to make that happen. There needs to be a seismic shift in how we as a country treat the education system—our goal should be community, not caliber.
This scholarship would help me achieve my dream: finishing my education debt-free so I can start my own educational consulting company to take the spirit of LINK national. I want to give every school a concrete place for open and honest dialogue between all those impacted by any major decision: students, parents, teachers, and administrators. I want to place the reins in the hands of the students and teachers to advocate for their needs that aren’t being filled and build curriculums with a focus on growth and collaboration. I want to put people and their love for each other back into the heart of schools because that is truly what education is about in the first place.
North Star Dreamers Memorial Scholarship
The first thing I remember about my LINK trip is a tin of Vaseline. I heard a voice calling out for Chapstick, and as girl code dictates, I rushed up with my miracle product. The voice turned out to be my senior leader Lucy, who was effusive in her gratitude. I thought, “I’ve never met someone like her.” I loved her in an instant.
When you get invited to go on LINK, people tell you it’s about to change your life, but not much else. It is a secret weekend retreat for high school students in order to teach them to become positive influences in their community. On these annual trips, students discover their families.
The people there were a permanent safety net—so much so that, despite being terrified of heights, I quad-jumped off a 26-foot pole at the cheers of my fellow campers.
I spent much of the weekend in shock at the ease with which we all became incredibly close. I barely knew these people, yet at the same time, I knew everything about them. Maybe I didn’t know the minute details of their lives, but I knew their greatest fears and their wildest dreams. These people were so strong and real and compelling and, my god, did that make me feel like I could do anything.
LINK brought me so much joy for people, joy for watching them grow and learn to care about themselves and others, and pursuing a degree in educational policy to make the lives of young children better is an opportunity for me to nurture that excitement for building relationships. My goals are broader than just education—they center around fostering the innate empathy that we have as humans when creating systems and organizations in which children spend the majority of their lives.
At LINK, I found peacekeepers. I found students who were willing to be vulnerable and teachers who were willing to listen. I found a group of people with genuine care and passion for bettering the student experience. Every student deserves to feel supported and wanted beyond what they can contribute academically, and every teacher deserves the resources to make that happen. There needs to be a seismic shift in how we as a country treat the education system—our goal should be community, not caliber.
This scholarship would help me achieve my dream: finishing my education debt-free so I can start my own educational consulting company to take the spirit of LINK national.
I want to give every school a concrete place for open and honest dialogue between all those impacted by any major decision: students, parents, teachers, and administrators. I want to place the reins in the hands of the students and teachers to advocate for their needs that aren’t being filled and build curriculums with a focus on growth and collaboration. I want to put people and their love for each other back into the heart of schools because that is truly what education is about in the first place.
Our Destiny Our Future Scholarship
The first thing I remember about my LINK trip is a tin of Vaseline. I heard a voice calling out for Chapstick, and as girl code dictates, I rushed up with my miracle product. The voice turned out to be my senior leader Lucy, who was effusive in her gratitude. I thought, “I’ve never met someone like her.” I loved her in an instant.
When you get invited to go on LINK, people tell you it’s about to change your life, but not much else. It is a secret weekend retreat for high school students in order to teach them to become positive influences in their community. On these annual trips, students discover their families.
The people there were a permanent safety net—so much so that, despite being terrified of heights, I quad-jumped off a 26-foot pole at the cheers of my fellow campers.
I spent much of the weekend in shock at the ease with which we all became incredibly close. I barely knew these people, yet at the same time, I knew everything about them. Maybe I didn’t know the minute details of their lives, but I knew their greatest fears and their wildest dreams. These people were so strong and real and compelling and, my god, did that make me feel like I could do anything.
LINK brought me so much joy for people, joy for watching them grow and learn to care about themselves and others, and pursuing a degree in educational policy to make the lives of young children better is an opportunity for me to nurture that excitement for building relationships. My goals are broader than just education—they center around fostering the innate empathy that we have as humans when creating systems and organizations in which children spend the majority of their lives.
At LINK, I found peacekeepers. I found students who were willing to be vulnerable and teachers who were willing to listen. I found a group of people with genuine care and passion for bettering the student experience. Every student deserves to feel supported and wanted beyond what they can contribute academically, and every teacher deserves the resources to make that happen. There needs to be a seismic shift in how we as a country treat the education system—our goal should be community, not caliber.
My dream is to start my own educational consulting company to take the spirit of LINK national. I want to give every school a concrete place for open and honest dialogue between all those impacted by any major decision: students, parents, teachers, and administrators. I want to place the reins in the hands of the students and teachers to advocate for their needs that aren’t being filled and build curriculums with a focus on growth and collaboration. I want to put people and their love for each other back into the heart of schools because that is truly what education is about in the first place.
Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship
The first thing I remember about my LINK trip is a tin of Vaseline. I heard a voice calling out for Chapstick, and as girl code dictates, I rushed up with my miracle product. The voice turned out to be my senior leader Lucy, who was effusive in her gratitude. I thought, “I’ve never met someone like her.” I loved her in an instant.
When you get invited to go on LINK, people tell you it’s about to change your life, but not much else. It is a secret weekend retreat for high school students in order to teach them to become positive influences in their community. On these annual trips, students discover their families.
The people there were a permanent safety net—so much so that, despite being terrified of heights, I quad-jumped off a 26-foot pole at the cheers of my fellow campers.
I spent much of the weekend in shock at the ease with which we all became incredibly close. I barely knew these people, yet at the same time, I knew everything about them. Maybe I didn’t know the minute details of their lives, but I knew their greatest fears and their wildest dreams. These people were so strong and real and compelling and, my god, did that make me feel like I could do anything.
LINK brought me so much joy for people, joy for watching them grow and learn to care about themselves and others, and pursuing a degree in educational policy to make the lives of young children better is an opportunity for me to nurture that excitement for building relationships. My goals are broader than just education—they center around fostering the innate empathy that we have as humans when creating systems and organizations in which children spend the majority of their lives.
At LINK, I found peacekeepers. I found students who were willing to be vulnerable and teachers who were willing to listen. I found a group of people with genuine care and passion for bettering the student experience. Every student deserves to feel supported and wanted beyond what they can contribute academically, and every teacher deserves the resources to make that happen. There needs to be a seismic shift in how we as a country treat the education system—our goal should be community, not caliber.
This scholarship would help me achieve my dream: finishing my education debt-free so I can start my own educational consulting company to take the spirit of LINK national.
I want to give every school a concrete place for open and honest dialogue between all those impacted by any major decision: students, parents, teachers, and administrators. I want to place the reins in the hands of the students and teachers to advocate for their needs that aren’t being filled and build curriculums with a focus on growth and collaboration. I want to put people and their love for each other back into the heart of schools because that is truly what education is about in the first place.
Schmid Memorial Scholarship
The first thing I remember about my LINK trip is a tin of Vaseline. I heard a voice calling out for Chapstick, and as girl code dictates, I rushed up with my miracle product. The voice turned out to be my senior leader Lucy, who was effusive in her gratitude. I thought, “I’ve never met someone like her.” I loved her in an instant.
When you get invited to go on LINK, people tell you it’s about to change your life, but not much else. It is a secret weekend retreat for high school students in order to teach them to become positive influences in their community. On these annual trips, students discover their families.
The people there were a permanent safety net—so much so that, despite being terrified of heights, I quad-jumped off a 26-foot pole at the cheers of my fellow campers.
I spent much of the weekend in shock at the ease with which we all became incredibly close. I barely knew these people, yet at the same time, I knew everything about them. Maybe I didn’t know the minute details of their lives, but I knew their greatest fears and their wildest dreams. These people were so strong and real and compelling and, my god, did that make me feel like I could do anything.
LINK brought me so much joy for people, joy for watching them grow and learn to care about themselves and others, and pursuing a degree in educational policy to make the lives of young children better is an opportunity for me to nurture that excitement for building relationships. My goals are broader than just education—they center around fostering the innate empathy that we have as humans when creating systems and organizations in which children spend the majority of their lives.
At LINK, I found peacekeepers. I found students who were willing to be vulnerable and teachers who were willing to listen. I found a group of people with genuine care and passion for bettering the student experience. Every student deserves to feel supported and wanted beyond what they can contribute academically, and every teacher deserves the resources to make that happen. There needs to be a seismic shift in how we as a country treat the education system—our goal should be community, not caliber.
This scholarship would help me achieve my dream: finishing my education debt-free so I can start my own educational consulting company to take the spirit of LINK national.
I want to give every school a concrete place for open and honest dialogue between all those impacted by any major decision: students, parents, teachers, and administrators. I want to place the reins in the hands of the students and teachers to advocate for their needs that aren’t being filled and build curriculums with a focus on growth and collaboration. I want to put people and their love for each other back into the heart of schools because that is truly what education is about in the first place.
Gussie Lynn Scholarship
The first thing I remember about my LINK trip is a tin of Vaseline. I heard a voice calling out for Chapstick, and as girl code dictates, I rushed up with my miracle product. The voice turned out to be my senior leader Lucy, who was effusive in her gratitude. I thought, “I’ve never met someone like her.” I loved her in an instant.
When you get invited to go on LINK, people tell you it’s about to change your life, but not much else. It is a secret weekend retreat for high school students in order to teach them to become positive influences in their community. On these annual trips, students discover their families.
The people there were like a permanent safety net—so much so that, despite being terrified of heights, I scaled a 26-foot pole and jumped off it with ease at the cheers of my fellow Creamsicles.
I spent much of the weekend in shock at the ease with which we all became incredibly close. I barely knew these people, yet at the same time, I knew everything about them. Maybe I didn’t know the minute details of their lives, but I knew their greatest fears and their wildest dreams. These people were so strong and real and compelling and, my god, did that make me feel like I could do anything.
LINK brought me so much joy for people, joy for watching them grow and learn to care about themselves and others, and pursuing a degree in educational policy to make the lives of young children better is an opportunity for me to nurture that excitement for building relationships. My goals are broader than just education—they center around fostering the innate empathy that we have as humans when creating systems and organizations in which children spend the majority of their lives.
At LINK, I found peacekeepers. I found students who were willing to be vulnerable and teachers who were willing to listen. I found a group of people with genuine care and passion for bettering the student experience. Every student deserves to feel supported and wanted beyond what they can contribute academically, and every teacher deserves the resources to make that happen. There needs to be a seismic shift in how we as a country treat the education system—our goal should be community, not caliber.
My dream is to take the spirit of LINK national. I want to give every school a concrete place for open and honest dialogue between all those impacted by any major decision: students, parents, teachers, and administrators. I want to place the reins in the hands of the students and teachers to advocate for their needs that aren’t being filled and build curriculums with a focus on growth and collaboration. I want to put people and their love for each other back into the heart of schools because that is truly what education is about in the first place.
#Back2SchoolBold Scholarship
My #Back2SchoolBold moment is my logo mockup for the business I'm planning on launching this month! I want to help all the young girls in my community go #Back2SchoolBold by reframing the shame surrounding period and puberty education. In my school district especially, it is viewed as this secretive thing that girls should not inconvenience others with by talking about it. I am going to sell "The Wingwoman", a curated kit with products to help girls ages 9-14 deal with puberty in a fresh, new way, with things like organic pads, glycolic acid, and a razor. They'll also include a self-designed and self-written book teaching them about different age-appropriate topics in a way that empowers them, not grosses them out. I've spent hours researching and budgeting and designing and surveying, and it is so cool to see my dreams almost coming to fruition but even cooler to think about the impact it will have on my community!