ST u DE n T p RO f I l E : m EET Sh I van I ’23

Shivani is a veteran SAG-AFTRA actor, voiceover artist, vocalist, and dancer who studies Mandarin, Spanish, and American Sign Language. She is CEO and co-founder of Sign with Gabi and Shiv, a non-profit organization that promotes ASL literacy and educates about deaf culture.

This AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit® Commended Scholar is known for her academic achievements and the exemplary attitude that earned her AHA’s Sister Catherine Green Kindness Award. Shivani is also a Mother Caroline Scholar, a Principal’s List honoree, and a Villanova book award winner.

Shivani was recently featured in BERGEN Magazine’s annual high school forum, where she was one of only 12 Bergen County teenagers to be interviewed.

Her solo performances include appearances at Broadway’s 54 Below and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. She voices two princesses on Disney Junior’s “Mira, Royal Detective” and has appeared on NBC’s “New Amsterdam.” She also modeled for a national print campaign.

Shivani is active with AHA’s theater program. Her pursuit of the performing arts also includes studies of ballet, Indian kathak, Bollywood, and tap dancing. In her free time, Shivani educates younger students about classical kathak dance and Indian history.

She enjoys playing ukulele, piano, and cello, and is part of the AHA Orchestra’s string section.

Her poetry, humor writing, and visual art have earned Shivani recognition in local and regional competitions.

Shivani is co-president of AHA’s DECA chapter. To date, she earned a national first place finish in the DECA/Knowledge Matters Digital Presentation Skills Challenge, and first place in New Jersey and third place nationally in automotive services marketing.

She is co-president of the Asian American Cultural Club, executive president of Junior States of America, and belongs to nine honor societies. As co-president and Certified Peer Leader of PowerBack, she co-organizes AHA’s Denim Day to support sexual assault survivors and raise awareness about abusive relationships and assault.

As an Angel Ambassador, she provides prospective Angels with inside knowledge and tours of AHA, and has appeared in AHA’s promotional videos.

Recently, Shivani participated in Angels Advantage, interning with a women’s telehealth startup launched by Jennifer Mitchell (AHA ’89).

Artist Gian Lee Wins National Gold Medal

Gian Lee (AHA ’22) earned a National Gold Medal in the 2022 Scholastic Art & Writing Competition. Gian, who specializes in surrealism, was recognized for her painting, “Photosynthesis,” which depicts the artist’s shadow cast onto lush foliage.

“‘Photosynthesis’ was inspired by a photograph that I took in the bushes and plants growing behind the studio where I made art over the summer (of 2021),” she explained. “I feel very honored to earn national recognition for my art since there are so many other talented artists.”

Christine DeGennaro, who taught Gian at AHA, appreciates her former student’s technical excellence and willingness to pursue artistic experiments.

Gian now attends the School of Art at Carnegie Mellon University.

Academy Starts Season with Largest Team in History

Jenny Sweet, head coach of AHA’s acclaimed dance team, started 2022-23 with energy, optimism, and 41 members. This is her largest group since the dance program was organized 12 years ago with Sweet at the helm. Her first team had just 14 dancers.

This summer, the team attended the Universal Dance Association Camp, where the varsity, JV, and middle school teams all qualified for Nationals. In addition, six Angels were named All-Americans and received an invitation to participate in the 2023 London New Year’s Day Parade. AHA’s honorees are Katie Fragola, Jordyn Wynn, Isabella McMahon, Maddie Krol, Emily Kho, and Annabella de Leon.

Varsity dancer Milena Hiza, JV dancer Chloe Kwon, and middle school dancer Cristyn Lindsay brought home the Pin it Forward Award for their work ethic and overall passion in each class. The UDA staff also recognized the Academy for outstanding leadership and energy.

Sweet works with JV Coach Alyssa Aponte ’12 and Middle School Coach Kristen DePeri ’09, both AHA alumnae.