One look at the long list of achievements, interests, and extracurricular activities of Shakti Ramkumar and it's hard to believe they all belong to one person. From tutoring to volunteering, writing to climate change, politics and playing the guitar to learning Spanish, Ramkumar is not only a well-rounded individual but she's an award winning student as well.
Ramkumar, who has been enrolled in Kwantlen Park Secondary School's leadership program, Inter-A, since grade 8, was recently rewarded with the Loran scholarship, a prestigious award from the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation valued at $80,000.
Thirty high school students receive the distinguished honour out of nearly 3,500 applicants. The personal and precise three month selection process chooses winners based on “academic achievement, extracurricular activity and leadership potential.”
"When I first read about the scholarship, I saw these three principles and that they called themselves the 'most unconventional undergraduate merit award' in Canada," explains Ramkumar. "This combination really appealed to me because I want to live my life unconventionally - with a focus on service to others and taking leadership in issues that I believe in."
Ramkumar's actions echo her words. December 2013 saw Ramkumar participate in a two week expedition to Antarctica with a Canadian educational organization called Students on Ice.
"Every day was exhilarating, and even now, I can't believe I was actually there," says Ramkumar. "Being there made me realize that every action we take here in 'civilization' will eventually impact these vulnerable ecosystems, and that I have to do my part in taking action to protect it."
"I hope to combine all [my] interests in my future career, though I'm not completely sure what that will be yet!" Ramkumar exclaims. Whatever career she chooses will undoubtedly make an impact on the community. "I am interested in working in public policy related to climate change and sustainability, and I know that I want to work closely with people in whatever field I decide to go into."
With plans to pursue engineering and focus on systems design, Ramkumar's reason for her secondary education choice is a testament to her desire to service others. "I believe problems need to be solved with a systems approach that looks at all aspects of the situation. I am interested in clean energy research and implementing sustainability initiatives in cities," she says.
Ramkumar is humbled by what the scholarship win will do for her future. “I feel very fortunate to be given this opportunity and freedom to explore different options in order to find the best ways I can give back to my immediate and the global community," she says. And it's clear her community is fortunate to have such a dedicated leader on their side.