Year 11 student Kaavya Kapoor is the One Wyndham Young Person of the Month for August.
The award recognises the achievements of Wyndham residents aged 12-25 and aims to “build the profile of young people who are positively contributing to the Wyndham community”.
Winners receive:
• A $300 gift voucher.
• Profile image and article in the council’s monthly newsletter, Wyndham News.
• Profile picture and biography on the One Wyndham webpage.
• Profile picture and feature on Wyndham City and Youth Services social media pages.
• A featured media release highlighting their achievements to local media.
• An advert in the local Star Weekly newspaper featuring their profile picture.
• Afternoon tea for One Wyndham award recipients with the mayor, held bi-annually.
• A certificate they can reference in their CV and job applications.
Kaavya’s story in her own words
Here is Kaavya’s account of her journey and accomplishments so far, which she submitted as part of her application for the award.
“I am a Year 11 student and Vice Captain with a passion for leadership, community service and medicine. My goal is to become a cardiothoracic surgeon, so I actively pursue opportunities that help me serve others.
“This year, I was selected for the University of Melbourne’s Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program, recognising academic excellence, leadership and community involvement. I also received my school’s Academic Excellence Award in Science and a Science Shout Out.
“Outside school, I volunteer at Hindu and Sikh temples, participate in the St John Ambulance Youth Program to develop first aid and emergency response skills, represent my school in badminton, have trained in taekwondo for six years, and have been playing guitar for the past four years, wherein I was part of my school band for two years.
“I am most proud of leading the initiative to improve hygiene and wellbeing at my school. After recognising how unhygienic the old toilet facilities were, I raised students’ concerns with school leadership and continued advocating for change. As a result, the old toilets were closed, newly built toilet facilities were opened for student use, and cleaning standards improved, benefiting hundreds of students every day.
“This experience taught me that meaningful leadership is about identifying problems, taking initiative and persisting until positive change is achieved. It strengthened my passion for improving people’s wellbeing, values reflected in my selection for the University of Melbourne’s Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program and my aspiration to become a doctor.
“I lead by example and encourage others to believe their actions can make a difference. As a Vice Captain, I showed that respectful advocacy can create real change through my successful campaign to improve school toilet facilities. For two years, I participated in the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program, organising park clean-ups, children’s activities and a lemonade fundraiser that raised money to install a public drinking bubbler.
“I also mentor through sport. Badminton has strengthened my teamwork and resilience, while six years of taekwondo has taught me discipline, confidence and respect. Through the St John Ambulance Youth Program, I continue developing healthcare skills while encouraging others to serve their community.
“Community service has always been important to me. During two years in the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program, I worked on projects including park clean-ups, educational activities and a lemonade fundraiser that successfully raised money to install a public drinking bubbler. I continue serving through volunteering at Hindu and Sikh temples and participating in the St John Ambulance Youth Program, where I develop first aid and emergency response skills.
“Within my school, I led the initiative that resulted in unhygienic toilets being replaced with cleaner, newly opened facilities for students. These experiences strengthened my leadership, compassion and commitment to improving the wellbeing of those around me.
“Receiving the One Wyndham Award would be an incredible honour and motivate me to continue serving my community through leadership and compassion. It would recognise the values that led to my selection for the University of Melbourne’s Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program, where students are chosen for academic excellence, leadership and community service.
“It would also inspire me to continue volunteering through St John Ambulance and local community organisations while pursuing my dream of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon.
“Having adapted to new schools and overcome the challenges of rebuilding friendships after moving interstate, I have developed resilience and empathy.
“I hope my journey encourages other young people to believe that one person’s initiative can create lasting positive change.”
