Ishita Mukadam

Parents: Mrudula Mukadam

Awards/Honors/Recognition: ● College Board National Small/Rural Town Recognition Award ● Coca-Cola Scholarship Semifinalist ● National Honors Society ● FTC Robotics Iowa State Championships Team: Control Award, Design Award, Think Award, Top Performing League Team ● Iowa State Tennis Individuals 1A Singles 7th Place Medal ● Iowa Junior Science & Humanities Symposium Top 15 research papers, Oral Presentations 2nd place ● International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist, State Science & Tech Fair of Iowa Senior Champion ● Iowa Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) at Grinnell University ● TARC Rocketry National Finalist Team, Top 5 National Presentations. Research Experience: ● Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair Finalist ● State Science & Engineering Fair of Iowa Champion, Microbiology Category 1st, Public Health Award, Seminars Presentations HM ● Superconference Grand Champion, Senior High Biological Champion ● Eastern Iowa Science and Engineering Fair Overall Honorable Mention ● Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Top 15 ○ National JSHS Finalist, presented orally at Virginia Beach, VA amongst U.S. Department of Navy and Education members. Extracurricular Activities: ● Student Council, positions from Class Representative, Secretary, Treasurer, President ● Robotics, roles from Lead Programmer to Student Mentor ● Rocketry, roles from Construction to Presentation Lead ● Maharishi School Visionary Pride Team Captain ● National Science Bowl Competition, Team Captain Sports: Tennis ● Captain of the Girl’s Tennis Team ● State Qualifier and Medalist ● Most Valuable Player Awardee

Other clubs outside of school: Community Service: ● Southeast Iowa Sierra Club Board member, Youth Representative ○ Organized Earth Day Festival team (1st US POP fest, 250+ attendees); Co-facilitated Renew-Energy round-table discussions (30+ people); City Council presentations ● Interact Rotary Club, positions from Secretary, Vice President, to current President ○ Baking brownies and making Valentine’s Day appreciation baggies for community members such as Walmart/HyVee/Everybody’s Employees, Senior Citizen Homes, and Teachers. ○ Running middle school dances to raise money for Heifer International and Charity Seeds Foundations ○ Trick-or-Change: going door-to-door requesting donations for Ottumwa Health Crisis Center ● iTennis Club Founder, coaching tennis to 6-8th students ○ Additional co-coaching to K-5th graders while getting mentorship on how to teach. ● Belin Blank Design Dash, Team Captain ● Job Shadowing in Medical Surgery and Emergency Departments ● TM-siddhis course/CIC+Flying block in Maharishi School ● Annual Fairfield Diwali Cultural Program Singer/Bhajans

Future plans: I want to pursue STEM and medicine, especially after learning about the brain in my Psychology/Anatomy classes, engaging in healthcare research through Science Fairs, and contributing to my FIRST Robotics Java programming team for all my high school years. I see myself on the frontline of STEM advocacy and cost-effective research innovations that could reduce environmental footprints and are beneficial to society.

How will your high school experiences help you in the coming years? The diverse and nurturing community at my school developed me into a vibrant person. These experiences at Maharishi School shaped me into a compassionate, creative, and conscientious citizen, ready to positively contribute wherever I go.

Fondest memory of high school? At last year's state tennis regionals, I played for over seven hours. In my nail-biting semifinal, I was tied at one set each, and the winner of the next set would determine who goes to the State tournament. As I looked over to the bleachers, I saw my friends, family, coaches, and community supporters cheering me on, filling me with determination. I won the last set 6-2, securing my place at the Iowa State Tournament, and carving a special moment of community support in my heart.

Which teachers have had the biggest impact on you and why? Every single one of my teachers, from elementary to high school, has positively impacted my life. If I had to pick a few, I am grateful to Dr. Beall, for his wisdom and dedication, and his inspirational way of teaching AP Psychology; Ms. Asha, for her passionate teaching of Anatomy/Physiology; and Ms. Jacob, for her empathy, patience, and support throughout my high school journey.

Who is your role model and how did they influence you? My mom. She is the strongest, most resilient person I know. She brought my sister and me to the U.S. and nurtured a sense of courage and perseverance to do big. I am forever grateful to her and aim to make her proud.

What is special about your high school? My high school is a place that accepts and nurtures people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. I appreciate the deep connections with my teachers and peers that help give a sense of belonging. Additionally, I appreciate the consciousness-based education, including the TM and Sidhis techniques which are the ultimate source of growth and resilience. These are some of the most special aspects of Maharishi School.

If you go back to when you were a freshman, what advice would you give yourself? I would advise myself to engage in science fairs as early as possible and take AP classes from the start. While working on college applications, I understood the importance of consistency in the activities you decide to take on, whether that be volunteering, academics, or extracurriculars. Keep believing in yourself, embrace the journey, cherish the memories, and make the most of your high school years.