VINAYA SIVAKUMAR

VINAYA SIVAKUMAR

Rooted in culture, invested in the future.

This is my story.

Hi! My name is Vinaya Sivakumar and I am a senior at Ursuline Academy. I created this website to show the “behind the scenes” of my transformative high school career and share the experiences and people that have shaped me into the passionate changemaker I am today.

Serving as a “Judge for a Day” with Judge Jody Luebbers of Hamilton County

Meeting Mayor Jeffrey Mims of Dayton to talk about youth mental health

Research internship addressing the problem of laser eye protection goggles reducing reaction time in pilots with the Air Force Research Laboratory

Elected as Buckeye Girls State Governor of the American Legion Auxiliary’s 76th session

Representing youth voices on the Ohio Attorney General’s Teen Ambassador Board

My most powerful moments (so far).

My high school journey has been life-changing. From experiences in politics to computer science, I’ve grown as a leader, activist, and student. Here are a few of my favorite experiences that have changed my perception of the world and how to make an impact entirely.

Speaking about youth digital wellness and the digital addiction crisis at WITCon, a conference for women IT professionals in the greater Cincinnati area

Speaking at the annual Women in Technology conference and empowering Cincinnati’s female high school students to pursue a career in IT as a representative for INTERalliance

Founding Heads Up, a social movement uniting 45+ high schools across the nation against the digital addiction crisis and encouraging more digitally-balanced lifestyles.

Founding Girl Up CIRS, the first student-led organization at Chinmaya International Residential School that empowered female students through all-school programming

Awards & Recognitions

  • Buckeye Girls State is a program hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary designed to educate Ohio's young women in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of good citizenship. Girls State simulates a state government and has positions at the city, county and state levels. I was elected as governor (one of 443 students) which was the highest-ranked position of the program.

  • National Center for Women in Technology recognizes leading students in technology through the Award for Aspirations in Computing. Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and future plans. I was recognized in the year 2021 for my accomplishments in the digital wellbeing field.

  • The Presidential Volunteer Service Award recognizes students with 400+ service hours and the impact they’ve made in their communities. I served this award working with LookUp.live and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

  • Since middle school, playing the cello was the ultimate form of soul-searching. After training for a year, I completed the Trinity Grade 8 exam and received a diploma with distinction.

  • I was selected, based on talent, fitness, and service, as the Distinguished Young Woman of Warren County. I was also awarded a college scholarship in recognition of my community service.

  • After completing of the West Point Leadership and Ethics Seminar, I was recognized by the Congress and House of Representatives for outstanding leadership.

  • AP Scholars with Distinction are given to students who earned a score of 3+ on 5+ AP exams and averaged a score greater than 3.75 across all exams taken. During my junior year, I performed well on the AP Biology exam, AP Chemistry exam, AP United States History exam, AP Statistics exam, and AP English Language and Composition exam.

  • I was honored as one of six district finalists selected out of the 2022 essay pool. I was awarded a scholarship for my essay outlining the roots of American democracy and what I believe the next steps of America should be.

  • Kode with Klossy Scholars, selected based on drive to learn more and interest in programming, are awarded with a scholarship to attend a two-week coding camp focused on mobile development in Swift.

  • Girls Who Code Scholars, selected based on previous computer science experience and dedication to learn programming at a deeper level, are selected to attend a two-week course focused on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript development.

  • ACLU National Advocacy Institute Attendees, focused on connecting and mobilizing high schoolers and their communities, are awarded a scholarship to attend a two-week course engaging with trailblazers across the Nation.

  • INTERalliance holds an annual award banquet recognizing leaders in the community. The INTERalliance Ambassador Award, the highest award a student can receive, recognizes two students of the Leadership Council who demonstrate the core values of INTERalliance.

Receiving the National Center for Women in Technology Ohio award along with a proclamation from the Governor’s Office.