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By Matie Singh |
New York, January 2002: Sitting flat on the carpeted floors of Trimirti Bhavan Mandir in Queens, 13 year-old Arurani Ramjeawan, dressed in a long light pink and gold lehnga-choli said, "I always wanted to go into science-it's like an innate skill I have for science. I found science easier than any other subject."
Our Uniondale high school valedictorian received her basic education in Guyana. Ramjeawan is one of about 15 Indo-Caribbean students in her high school. Though she was placed "into the eight grade" when she arrived in New York she manages to keep a GPA of 98.8. "She [has] always been bright [since] in Guyana," said grandma Khemragie, who smiled and nodded approvingly at everything Arurani said, as the three of us took seats side by side to each other and continue the interview.
Moving from side to side on the floor and playing with her short hair she gives praises to her eldest brother for being her role model. Though "my parents are very strict when it comes to education. My oldest brother set the example for us to follow," she said.
As for her new short hair style, she said "My hair used to be very long but I donated it to 'Locks of Love' to help kids. I feel good. I always want to help."
Her love for the science field is such that she has already mapped out her future. Pursuing her studies (a few advance classes for now) in Microbiology at Tufts University,î her goal is to become a ìMedical Immunologist, which will require her to study for another eight or ten years.
Ramjeawan is currently the president of National Honor Society and the vice-president of National Science Honor Society. At the same time she's a member of the Science Research Club, Long Island Science Congress, Science Olympiad and the captain for Girls Vanity Tennis Team, just to name a few. Our young student also volunteers at Uniondale Public Library where she "reads to kids," help with "craft programs," and tutor students at Walnut Street Elementary School.
In some of her other activities she works as a camp counselor, part of the Uniondale Community Council, where she teaches science to kids and takes them on various trips and outings.
Describing herself as a "normal everyday girl," she confidently states that "there's a time for every thing, but you have to know what you want," to be successful in life. Watching Indian movies, going to her auntís house, going to the mall, playing video games with her other four siblings are some of the things this studious mind does for fun, aside form "reading when I have the time and study hard, because hard work pays off at the end.