My name is Aarav Patel, and I've been so lucky to grow up in a Swadhyay community. It's taught me values that have helped me appreciate life and give me a purpose in fulfilling my dharma. I've experienced many twists and turns, but throughout all of them, my faith in Bhagwan has always given me confidence that things will turn out alright. Especially in school, I've encouraged Hindu values by embodying them. Inclusivity, open-mindedness, and a mentality of active thinking have made me into the man I am today and created the impact I leave on other people's lives. Going into a Christian-dominated college with an enormous number of people will be overwhelming, but if I stick to my values and dharma, I will remain fulfilled and make the impact I want to leave on this earth.

Anay has been a part of the Hindu religion ever since he was born. He is a part of the Bal Sanskar Kendra in the Swadhyay Kendra of Chattanooga. There, he has heard many stories of Hindu gods and goddesses. He has also learned about having good morals and values. He uses everything he learns in Swadhyay to help others and spread the Hindu Dharma. 

Swadhyay and Hinduism have been a part of Anay's life for 18 years, and he does not see life without it. He will continue his study of the Hindu Dharma and Swadhyay in Yuva Kendra at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he is majoring in biomedical engineering. He loves playing tennis and sports in general, spending time with friends and family, and using his creativity to make things. Most importantly, he loves helping people. Anay uses the lessons from Swadhyay to make good decisions and help others. He wouldn't be the person he is today without being a proud Hindu.

Mihir Bhatia, a graduate from Cypress Ranch High School in Cypress, TX, proudly embraces his Hindu roots and Indian heritage. Growing up in an Indian household, he was immersed in the rich spiritual beliefs, traditions, and values passed down through generations. From attending religious institutions like ISKON temple and Chinmaya Mission Sunday School to practicing puja and connecting with the divine through prayer, Mihir deeply appreciates the spiritual practices of Hinduism.

Family holds a special place in his heart, as Hinduism emphasizes the importance of strong familial bonds. Mihir values the time spent with loved ones, respecting elders, and cherishing the joyous moments shared during family functions.

Education and learning are cherished in Hindu culture, and Mihir wholeheartedly embraces this passion. He recognizes the significant contributions Hinduism has made to various fields and believes that education is a path to spiritual growth. Guided by his love for learning, Mihir is pursuing a degree in Finance and the Canfield Business Honors Program at The University of Texas at Austin, fueling his long-term aspirations as a social entrepreneur.

Deeply grateful for the values instilled in him by his immigrant parents, family, and community, Mihir holds his Hindu heritage close to his heart. He sees it as a source of pride, spirituality, strong family values, and a passion for education and learning. As he continues his journey, Mihir is determined to share these values with future generations, ensuring the legacy of his Hindu heritage.

Ria Kothari will be attending the University of South Carolina as a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major on the Pre-Medical track. She is a follower of Shrimad Rajchandra and regularly attends shibirs at the Shree Raj Saubhag ashram in Gujarat. She plans to continue practicing the spiritual values her gurus have imparted and act as an ambassador for her cultural heritage as she progresses to the next chapter of her life.

Jay Patel is a graduate of the Downingtown STEM Academy from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and has been a part of the Hindu Community since birth. Growing up in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, he has spent his entire life dedicated to the Hindu Community. As a child, Jay would attend regular bal sabhas at various BAPS mandirs, where he would learn about our culture and the values that shape our identity. As he grew older, Jay became more and more involved with his local mandir activities, serving as the Youth Activities Coordinator at the BAPS Mandir in Warrington, Pennsylvania. During the summer of 2023, Jay volunteered in the food services department at the Swaminarayan Akshardham in North America as the four-month-long Festival of Inspirations was in full swing. Jay plans on continuing his seva as a member of the Regional Creative Team for the Northeast Region.

In the fall, Jay will attend Pennsylvania State University as a member of Schreyer Honors College. He plans on double majoring in physics and mathematics and hopes to make a difference in the development of nuclear fusion technology. He hopes to create a difference in the world, not only through his academic aspirations but through his commitment to serving the Hindu Community.

My name is Kapil Patel. I am from Evans, GA. I graduated from Lakeside Highschool. As a devout Hindu I love following my faith. I also enjoy reading and skating. I was born in India and raised in America and have great pride in both of my nations. I will be attending the University of Georgia studying Mechanical Engineering. In the future, I plan on becoming a sadhu to completely devote my time to the teaching of Hinduism's values.

Mrunal Dongre graduated from Providence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. She will be attending University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pursuing a double major in Business Administration and Statistics and Analytics.

Mrunal has been an active member of the Hindu community through organizations such as Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Yoga Bharati, Samskrita Bharati, and Aum School. She is a certified yoga instructor and is looking forward to teaching more students at UNC and beyond. Through these avenues, she will continue to preserve, promote, and protect Hindu dharma.

Pranita Akella, a graduate from Lakeside High School in Evans, Georgia, will be attending the University of Georgia for Undergraduate Program. She will be majoring in International Business and Marketing. Since her childhood, Hindu values were instilled in her at home. She learned Kuchipudi for 12 years and completed her Rangapravesam in August of 2023. She won the North Delhi Cultural Academy National Award in 2021 and plans on continuing her journey by teaching Kuchipudi to the younger generation ensuring that the legacy of Hinduism is passed on.

Pranita strongly believes that Kuchipudi has taught her effective time management and teamwork skills, but most importantly it helped improve her confidence. Having grown up in the United States, she feels blessed to be able to embrace the rich Indian culture. She feels proud that she communicates in her language, Telugu, at home with her brother and parents, which she believes keeps her connected to our culture and values. She loves celebrating all the Hindu festivals, participating in the cultural events, singing Bhajans, and volunteering for the Hindu Temple’s Youth Group. She is thankful to her parents who instilled the rich cultural values from a young age.

Puraav, a dedicated Hindu and Jain follower, is eager to bring his deep-rooted principles to life as he embarks on his journey at University this year. He was born and raised in Mumbai for much of his early life and has visited many temples across India instilling deep rooted traditions and values that he continues to cherish today. Puraav finds peace in going to his local temple with his family every Sunday to pray and assist with Pathshala lessons.

Puraav will enroll at Cornell University aiming to major in Economics and Applied Math. He is very involved in his local government and and has a passion to represent the youth and advocate for their needs. Outside of school, Puraav loves spending time with family, playing pickleball, and always meeting new people. He hopes to continue to share his identity of Hindu culture and traditions on campus with his fellow students.