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It Takes a Village
Among the 10,000 students graduating from University of California, Berkeley in 2002, six were selected for a special recommendation based on their academic achievements and community involvement. The six included Shayna Parekh and Rishi Doshi. Among these six, Shayna was awarded the University Gold Medal, given to the "most distinguished graduating senior on the UC Berkeley campus."
Mansi Shah was recognized by The Legal Society of the Los Angeles County Bar Association for her outstanding Pro Bono work (free legal aid for those who cannot afford it) and by her firm Howrey, as the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year.
While volunteering at a Mumbai hospital with the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), the plight of the village patients battling with cancer motivated Bansari Shah to form an NGO — Suhani Kal (A Bright Future) — focused on disease prevention through health and hygiene. She has visited India twice with a team of volunteers to provide medical care to 1,200 patients in various villages of Gujarat.
Seven members of the 1999 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Royal Court chosen from more than 800 Pasadena-area young women included Chaitali Gala. Selections for the Royal Court were based on an array of qualities ranging from public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement, community involvement and personality.
As an exceptional leader with proven organizational skills and an ability to influence and motivate others, Khusali Gala was selected by the Teach for America organization to teach in under-served inner-city schools. For the past three years, Khusali has taught high school mathematics at Chicago International Charter School's Northtown Academy.
Tejas Gala, a senior at Claremont McKenna College, was named a Robert Day Scholar- a recognition for high achieving student leaders with a strong ethical compass and a solid sense of judgment. Tejas is also a co-captain of the NCAA Division III basketball team.
Ayesha Khetani is President of the Little India Leo Club, which is affiliated with the Lions Club International. She also won a bronze medal at the 2004 World Championship Racquetball Tournament in Korea.
Shreyans Parekh was selected as a Coca Cola Scholar based on his academic and community service achievements. In January 2008, Shreyans and several of his Coca Cola colleagues