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Local students recognized for their service

January 26, 2010

By Christopher Huber

Humble Eastlake sophomores Akaash Nanda and Sharada Rayan had no clue they were in the running for a Seattle-area-wide award. But they each received an e-mail from the Seattle Center in December, summoning them to a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day event on Jan. 18.Eastlake sophomores Sharada Rayan and Akaash Nanda hold their Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Award plaques in an Eastlake High School corridor. Photo by Christopher Huber
They went with Chris Gentes, their former counselor at Inglewood Junior High, who nominated them. The two youth were among five individuals nominated for the award that represented King’s spirit of peace.
Nanda and Rayan both received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Award from the city of Seattle during the holiday celebration. Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn presented them with the award.
“It was really nice to get it because we go to the same school,” Rayan said after school Jan. 21. She said Nanda was called up first, so she figured the second award would go to someone else. “Once they called my name, I couldn’t believe it.”
The award itself is meant to recognize youth and youth organizations that “promote community, peace, leadership, justice and civil rights in the spirit of the teachings of Dr. King,” according to the event program.
When they thought about their reaction to receiving the awards, Nanda and Rayan simply said, “overwhelmed” in unison.
Both have done a lot to deserve the recognition, Gentes said. At Inglewood, Rayan helped design a video curriculum for homeroom teachers. At Eastlake, she is on the swim team, participates in DECA (business and marketing) and occasionally takes part in the REACH club (educational awareness and discussion). She is also on the Indian Association of Western Washington Youth Board, the Sammamish Youth Board and a member of the Global Youth Leadership Institute.
“I never thought I would get this,” she said. “It lets me know I’m capable of doing this and more.”
Nanda is also on the Sammamish Youth Board and the Global Youth Leadership Board. He participates in DECA, REACH and sometimes the debate club and he takes karate lessons.
Gentes couldn’t say enough about the two. She was their ninth-grader counselor in the 2008-2009 school year.
“They were just two of the most spectacular kids I’ve ever had. In terms of integrity, commitment to using their talents and time,” Gentes said. “They truly embody the spirit of peace. They’re so non-exclusive.”
This was Gentes’ first time nominating students for the award — she gets the nomination form every year, she said. She felt compelled to take the time to fill it out this year because Nanda and Rayan show their leadership and service in their everyday lives. She said, for example, Nanda is willing to call people out for things when he sees an injustice at school.
“They transcend popularity, they look to do good work,” Gentes said.
They said the award reassures them that they’re affecting people around them for the better and motivates them to keep up the good work.
“Not more pressure, just a pat on the back,” Nanda said.
And if her involvement in school clubs and activities weren’t enough, Rayan said she’s going to donate her $150 prize to Haiti relief efforts.
“I think they will make a mark on the world,” Gentes said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.SammamishReview.com.

By Christopher Huber
Humble Eastlake sophomores Akaash Nanda and Sharada Rayan had no clue they were in the running for a Seattle-area-wide award. But they each received an e-mail from the Seattle Center in December, summoning them to a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day event on Jan. 18. They went with Chris Gentes, their former counselor at Inglewood Junior High, who nominated them. The two youth were among five individuals nominated for the award that represented King’s spirit of peace. Nanda and Rayan both received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Award from the city of Seattle during the holiday celebration. Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn presented them with the award. “It was really nice to get it because we go to the same school,” Rayan said after school Jan. 21. She said Nanda was called up first, so she figured the second award would go to someone else. “Once they called my name, I couldn’t believe it.”The award itself is meant to recognize youth and youth organizations that “promote community, peace, leadership, justice and civil rights in the spirit of the teachings of Dr. King,” according to the event program.When they thought about their reaction to receiving the awards, Nanda and Rayan simply said, “overwhelmed” in unison. Both have done a lot to deserve the recognition, Gentes said. At Inglewood, Rayan helped design a video curriculum for homeroom teachers. At Eastlake, she is on the swim team, participates in DECA (business and marketing) and occasionally takes part in the REACH club (educational awareness and discussion). She is also on the Indian Association of Western Washington Youth Board, the Sammamish Youth Board and a member of the Global Youth Leadership Institute.“I never thought I would get this,” she said. “It lets me know I’m capable of doing this and more.”Nanda is also on the Sammamish Youth Board and the Global Youth Leadership Board. He participates in DECA, REACH and sometimes the debate club and he takes karate lessons.Gentes couldn’t say enough about the two. She was their ninth-grader counselor in the 2008-2009 school year.“They were just two of the most spectacular kids I’ve ever had. In terms of integrity, commitment to using their talents and time,” Gentes said. “They truly embody the spirit of peace. They’re so non-exclusive.”This was Gentes’ first time nominating students for the award — she gets the nomination form every year, she said. She felt compelled to take the time to fill it out this year because Nanda and Rayan show their leadership and service in their everyday lives. She said, for example, Nanda is willing to call people out for things when he sees an injustice at school. “They transcend popularity, they look to do good work,” Gentes said.They said the award reassures them that they’re affecting people around them for the better and motivates them to keep up the good work.“Not more pressure, just a pat on the back,” Nanda said. And if her involvement in school clubs and activities weren’t enough, Rayan said she’s going to donate her $150 prize to Haiti relief efforts.“I think they will make a mark on the world,” Gentes said.

Another winner

The Mary, Queen of Peace high school youth group won the same award in the group category. It was nominated for its summer service series, said Life Teen minister Stephen O’Sullivan. Their work included opening up a food bank for migrant workers in Burlington, raising money for wells in Ghana, providing bed mats at a men’s shelter, volunteering at the Eastside Baby Corner in Issaquah, among other service projects.

“It felt great that all the work that the teens did was being recognized,” O’Sullivan said. “They really realized what they had accomplished.”
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.

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Written by Christopher Huber · Filed Under Community 

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