“Hi, my name is Krish, and I’m studying History and Public Policy at Duke University. I worked on several projects with Akshara throughout my junior year, including mentoring middle school students to develop Portrait of a Graduate attributes, and planning events and workshops for our own high school. Stepping out of my comfort zone to tackle diverse problems from new perspectives was challenging at first, but Akshara’s leadership and bold initiative pushed me to succeed, and motivated me to accomplish even more. Through her mentorship, I was able to apply the skills I learnt to my role as President of Marvin Ridge Speech and Debate, where we went on to have one of the most successful years in school history, sending a handful of students to Nationals. Furthermore, her lessons and knowledge pushed me to go out of my comfort zone and try new challenges at Duke, such as beginning with research with Duke Engage.”

“Hey, my name is Emily Nethala, and I will be studying Biology at Duke University. Akshara’s advice and mentorship throughout all four years of high school have helped me develop confidence and the soft skills necessary to achieve success. Akshara’s ability to connect with others and push boundaries led to me to experience opportunities through North Carolina HOSA State Leadership as well as becoming President of BETA Club. Furthermore, her excellence has constantly pushed me to grow, allowing me to graduate valedictorian of my high school class and now move on to even greater academic and personal pursuits with confidence and purpose.”

“Hi, my name is Yao Wong and I will be studying architecture at Carnegie Mellon University this fall. I worked with and under Akshara in the Blooming Melodies organization and in creating a Blooming Melodies Club at school; directed towards teaching soft skills to high school underclassmen. The energy Akshara brought when I first met her in my sophomore year really inspired me in which I could accomplish anything I wanted while benefiting others by applying my skills. Through her leadership and helpful mentoring, she helped lift me up and gave me that first push of confidence for me, which led me to initiate other activities within my life at school and outside of school. I have paved the way for positions for managing our high school’s men's volleyball teams because of that newfound confidence. I have also applied the same energy in a multitude of my pre-college summer programs, placing at state-level and national competitions, and achieving goals I never would have dreamed of in that sophomore year.”

“With your tips and advice, I made a team for my organization TLDI, and now we are collaborating with the Wisconsin Department of Public Education. I couldn’t have done it or possibly even considered coming this far without you!”

I worked with Akshara as a graphic design leader for Blooming Melodies, pushing me out of my comfort zone as I had never mentored a group of high schoolers before. Throughout my academic career, I have always been amazed and inspired by Akshara to do more. She introduced me to the topic of soft skills, where I was able to understand the importance of leadership, communication, and teamwork through Blooming Melodies. The skills she has taught me have motivated me to step into roles to become Beta Club president, intern at Atrium, pursue my Nurse Aide certification, and more. Above all, she is an amazing and supportive friend. I always felt like I could talk to her about anything, especially when I was stressed out about college applications. Throughout high school, I have always looked up to Akshara the most.

“I could not have gotten into UNC Chapel Hill without your help! You are the reason I emailed the professor I ended up doing research with.”

“When I was applying to NCSSM and thinking about college, I wasn’t sure where to start. Through her business, Akshara gave me the chance to lead a pen pal project helping Ecuadorian students learn English, and she guided me through it. She also helped me shape my essays and pick the right classes. Thanks to her mentorship, I got into NCSSM and feel much more confident applying to college.”

“At the beginning of this program, I found myself stuck in self doubt and overthinking everything. With Akshara’s constant support, I ended up sending over 100 cold emails, delivering 40+ handmade cards, and gave many to the families of Charlotte Family Housing Center. This experience made me realize that I’m not just a kid with an idea, but someone who’s doing something real.”

“I have learned so much about becoming a leader. I launched my own scavenger hunt, investigated criminal justice, and spoke to 35+ people about my ideas to democratize access to learning about law. I can’t wait to continue exploring this field, blending creativity, confidence, and persistence throughout the journey.”

“When I was a freshman, I met Akshara, who provided me with not only emotional support but academic guidance as well. She offered advice on managing coursework and recommended classes to consider, giving me insights I hadn’t received elsewhere. Akshara felt like an older sister and was always there when I needed advice. We also worked together on a project called Portrait of a Graduate, where we collaborated with a select team to help cultivate leadership and soft skills among youth. Contributing to this effort alongside Akshara and the others gave me the chance to grow and learn through shared goals and experience.”

“I used to be afraid of failure, but with Akshara’s mentorship, I got the courage to drop off handmade cards to a clinic without asking for permission. The freedom to act inspired me to run a plushie drive with Aeris Foundation.”

“When I started, I was less motivated to achieve my goals. I was super nervous to tell people about my work. Now, I’m comfortable taking the step back to reflect, figure out the next steps to improve, and act on them. I learned that if I speak with conviction, I can get people excited about my project!”

“Starting this program, I had no idea what to expect. By the end of the sprint, I had gotten out of my comfort zone by sharing my ideas with anyone, like the influencers that walked into the cafe, neighbors I had never spoke to before, and retirement homes. I’m excited to see where this journey will take me throughout high school.”