Photo: Chris Emeott
The Class of 2025 is full of dedication, leadership and creativity.
This article originally appeared as part of the story Senior Spotlight in the August 2024 issue. Read the profiles of other inspiring Edina seniors here: Natalie Mosakowski, Vihaan Shah, Drew Dillon, Katherine “Kat” Mulgrew, Audrey Castro, George Rerat
Our Senior Spotlight is a cherished tradition that celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of exceptional students in their final year of high school. This year, we asked schools in our area to nominate students who are exemplary in dedication, leadership and creativity. We honor these seniors for their unwavering commitment to excellence. This is just a snapshot of these talented individuals.
Anoushka Jha, 17
Edina High School (EHS)
Anoushka Jha has philanthropy on her mind. Her main focus at the moment is her nonprofit organization, Shakti International. “Our mission is to eradicate period poverty and foster menstrual equity in underserved regions in the U.S. and abroad,” Anoushka says of Shakti, which she co-founded with her sister, Aditi, and her friend, Indra Khariwala. “We aim to achieve this by providing access to hygienic menstrual products and comprehensive menstrual education to women and girls … Not only are the supplies scarce and primitive, but women in some rural villages are shunned, forced to sit separately from their family and barred from doing daily activities when on their period. For young girls, this means missing several days each month of school, sports, work and socializing.”
After researching and traveling to India, Shakti International chose to help a residential school for orphans in rural Palghar, called Kasturba Gandhi School for Girls. They installed pad dispensers and incinerators in the restrooms. They also arranged for a health official to educate the girls about feminine hygiene and provide hygiene products to schools in Minneapolis. “This work is dear to my heart and I plan to continue it throughout my life,” she says.
Her inspiration is her maternal grandmother. “She was a teacher in India who taught all subjects from grades 5 through 10 in a single, dingy room with nothing but a chalkboard,” she says. “The kids loved her, and she ran a very tight ship, both in class and at home. Her students have gone on to get higher degrees and are working in different countries around the world. They never fail to go visit her with their families when they come back to India.”
Now that her grandma has retired, she spends more time with Anoushka and her family in Minnesota. “She always expects the best of me, keeping up on my work and tests no matter where in the world she is,” she says. “Whenever we talk on the phone, she never forgets to ask me if I got ‘full marks’ on my exams, somehow always knowing which ones I am taking. She inspires me to be disciplined. Her persistence with me is her way of showing she believes in me and is confident I can do better. It doesn’t feel like she’s badgering me, but instead, she’s pushing me to do my best. Through her life’s work of teaching she changed lives, nothing is more inspirational to me than that.”
Anoushka wants to study psychology or philosophy before going to medical school.
Activities
- Student Board Member – Edina City Council Community Health Commission
- Student Board Member – Edina League of Women Voters; organized student-led school board forum for three years – moderated for the past two years
- Shakti International
- Student Board Member – Edina Global Scholars
- Model UN Participant
- Captain of the team for Science Bowl
- Involved in her temple – goes every Sunday and volunteers at events
- Participates in cancer research at the University of Minnesota
- EHS and GTCYS Orchestra
- Peer Tutor in the Tutor Center
- Social Studies TA at EHS
- Awards and Achievements
- Letters in community service and Model UN
Edina Magazine extends its appreciate to the team at Mr. Paul’s Supper Club for its use of the restaurant as a backdrop for our Senior Spotlight feature photo shoot.
Mr. Paul’s Supper Club, 3917 Market St.; 612.259.8614; Instagram: @mrpaulssupperclub
