Greenwood High Student Awarded with National Honoree

Bangalore, April 5, 2016 – Greenwood High International School student Nikhiya Shamsher has won a Gold medal and awarded with the stature of ‘National Honoree’ at the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards 2016 held at New Delhi recently. As a ‘National Honoree’, Nikhiya has now been invited to Washington D.C to represent India in the felicitation events for Spirit Honorees from participating countries all over the world to be held in May 2016. She will also be honored at a gala event at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. Nikhiya will also visit U.S Senators on Capitol Hill, share her experiences and ideas with the Spirit Honourees from other countries.

This 13 year old is a passionate blogger, a National level Archer and is nothing short of a philanthropist. Nikhiya Shamsher has received the award for her initiative ‘Bags, Books and Blessings’ & ‘Yearn to Learn’. Bags, Books and Blessings aims to collect re-usable bags, books and school supplies and donate them to less privileged school children. Yearn to Learn aims to set up Science and Math Labs in schools and primary colleges that do not have them.

The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards is the extension of the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, the largest youth recognition programme in the United States that identifies and recognizes school students who have made a positive difference in their communities through volunteer community service, across the world.

Nikhiya, who had participated in the individual category, has been awarded the Gold Medal, a Certificate of Excellence and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000. Nikhiya was chosen amongst 4000 applicants. Greenwood High has also been awarded with a special trophy and a Certificate of Achievement.

Ms Nikhiya Shamsher, Grade 8 student, Greenwood High International School said “I am greatly honored and humbled to win the Gold Medal. The cash prize will be utilized towards launching laboratories in more schools. I did not make the journey here alone. Many people have supported me on the way. I am grateful to my school Principal Mr. Aloysius D'Mello and teachers for encouraging and mentoring me to achieve my goals. I am also grateful to my donors and volunteers, without whose support I would not be here today. Just knowing that we have helped so many students in their educational journey is a wonderful feeling”.

Commenting on this achievement, Ms Niru Agarwal, Trustee, Greenwood High International School said “We at Greenwood High are elated at the achievement of Nikhiya and wish her the best in her future endeavors. We commend Nikhiya for her dedication and contribution towards improving the lives of others selflessly. Young achievers like Nikhiya are inspiring examples to all of us and our biggest hope for a better tomorrow”.