Park ’25
Shaik ’22
High Gear: Bolles Students Changing the World Through Science, Innovation Bolles students are unrivaled in innovation and continue to push the realms of science on national and international fronts this year. Their achievements — which have been marked by such high-profile accolades as ringing the New York Stock Exchange closing bell and appearing in People magazine — are redefining excellence in science and community service. Bolles senior Aman Shaik ’22 was one of 518 youths from 42 states to win a Congressional Award Gold Medal, Congress’
Richardson ’22
highest honor for youth civilians. Shaik was the only medalist from Florida’s 4th Congressional District and was one of 26 students from Florida to earn the distinction. Gold Medalists must complete 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness and conduct a 5-day, 4-night exploration trip over the course of two years at a minimum. The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ only charity and the highest honor bestowed upon a youth civilian through the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Shaik, who is active on the Bolles competitive robotics team, volunteered more than 400 hours mentoring and motivating local and international youth to explore STEM. He mentored students on the Bolles Lower School Whitehurst Campus First LEGO League (FLL) robotics teams, volunteered at FLL tournaments and organized multiple summer robotics camps at the Museum of Science and History. He also served as an international ambassador for the North South Foundation and organized two robotics workshops in India, where he taught robot design and programming to underprivileged youth. In addition, Shaik committed more than 600 hours of personal development in designing and building robots as co-captain of the Bolles Upper School San Jose Campus First Tech Challenge robotics team. He led research projects on environmental pollution, cyberbullying and unconscious bias and shared his solutions at regional and state science fair competitions where he won multiple awards. “The Congressional Award journey helped me improve my organization, time-management and leadership skills,” Shaik said. “It has been a humbling experience to have the opportunity to help others and to make a difference.”
winter 2021-22
5
