CHANGE MAKERS – Sahara Maharjan

Parents name: Sudhir Maharjan and Hashina Shrestha

School Activities at the school: International Alliances, Student Helping Honduras, Tri-M Music Honors Society, Marching band, varsity swim, peer leader

Community Activities and support: FONNJ Youth Group Volunteering

Hobbies: Guitar, piano, singing (auditioned choir), journaling, reading, varsity swimming, dance, volunteering

Future plans?

 I’m still unsure what I want to do in the future considering I am a sophomore in high school. There’s a lot of choices I have with what I want to study but I’ve been interested in human behavior and/or psychology. I plan to complete high school and go to college.

Q. What do you believe are three keys to being a good citizen?

I believe that the 3 keys to being a good citizen are being respectful, responsible and being involved within the community.

Q. What piece of advice that you have received that has made a difference in your life?

Do not worry about what other people think. This really keeps me going as a high school student because in this society, most teens tend to overthink situations with people judging and so because of this, we become afraid of the worst things possible. But hearing other people’s opinions and thoughts have made me realize that I am not alone, and that people aren’t always judging you in the way that you think they are.

Q. Who is your favorite teacher? 

As much as I like all of my teachers, my favorite teacher is my choir teacher, Mrs. Johnson. I’ve had her for all of high school so far and I plan to have her for the rest of my high school experience. She always finds a way to challenge me and I always learn so much from her as both my teacher and a person. She is always there for me when I need it and always makes my class fun.

Q. Who is your favorite community program?

 My favorite community program would have to be the FONNJ events that we host.

Q. How have you tried to make your school/community a better place? 

I’ve collected donations of canned food to help with homelessness and have spread awareness about it at my school in order to help the community.

Q. What accomplishment are you most proud of, and why? 

The accomplishment I am most proud of is receiving the President Award. This really helped me see in myself how I can help a community. This helped me realize that even the little things can help the community. Working for the president award helped me appreciate and value the new skills I’ve learnt from other people in the community.