Get to Know Me
Hello! I am Anusha Algappan, a Junior at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. I have been involved in several different extracurricular activities starting at a very young age, such as dance, piano, and tennis. Talking in front of a bunch of people or speaking up during class has never been my forte. However, having these extracurricular activities has helped me muster enough courage to be more open and meet new people. These activities has also provided me an outlet that provides balance to my life.
I have always enjoyed being around children. Their curious smiles evoking possibilities is so endearing. They aren’t stressed or worried about anything and are so full of life. But, as I grew up, I watched the news, observed my surroundings and learned what was going on around the world, I realized it wasn’t all that warm and fuzzy. Many families don’t have money to support their children. Others are too busy putting food on the table. As I became more aware of the unfairness and injustices in life, I decided to Aspire to Serve and be a possibility towards hope, warm smiles and draw forth excitement in children again.
Passion
Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance, has brought me so much joy. I have been dancing since I was six, and this passion of mine has been a great stress reliever through out my time at school. Performing a dance on stage allows me to express how I feel without words.
Competition
I have played tennis since I was eight years old. Being part of the tennis team at school has allowed me to get outside of my comfort zone, meet new people, and make friends. Through tennis, I have gained confidence, happiness, and a fighting spirit.
Harmony
When finishing a piece or performing on stage, there is harmony when hours of practice on the piano comes together to bring a sense of peace, albeit for a moment. The sense of accomplishment is fulfilling.
My Hope
My hope is for all children to smile, not be burdened with a duty at a young age, and be radiant with joy in their childhood. This will happen when they find joy in something. I believe Aspire to Serve will bring them that joy, which is giving them an opportunity to explore what the world has to offer through extracurricular activities.
Join me in accomplishing my hope, my desire, my burning want for children to find something they would love to do.
Why I Believe…
I am a girl who lives in a 95% Caucasian community. I am a young lady who eats with her hands, has a brown skin tone, and wears unusual clothes. Anyone might think, she is different, and it’s true, I am. However, I don’t feel different because I have accepted who I am, and I am proud to be me. There are many moments in my life that have made me into the person I am today, but the one event that changed my life is an Indian classical dance performance I did at age eleven.
I was in a large auditorium in the Atlee High School building, dressed up in an Indian Bharatanatyam costume, waiting for my turn to dance for the Talent Show. I was about to take the stage in front of 400 people who were mostly Caucasian, and to be honest, I was a little nervous. I wasn’t sure how they were going to take in a totally different and unusual performance. Pushing that thought away, I stepped onto the stage. The lights began to stare down on me, and the music started to play. Within a few minutes, the music ended, I took my bow, and there was a standing ovation before me. The claps were Earth-shaking, the noises were booming, and the sight was breath-taking. Every single person out in the audience was standing for my performance. Mine, that was totally different, and so out of the ordinary. Then, I realized at that moment that I wasn’t dancing this performance for them, I was dancing this for me. I was proud to be Anusha Abirami Algappan, and I felt like I could do anything because of having that confidence, acceptance, and courage. Looking back to this moment, I am happy with the way I faced my fears, and in the future, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Natalya Neidhart once said, “Different is good, and being different is what makes us stand out in the world.” I couldn’t agree with her more because being different is truly amazing. I did stand out during my performance, I did wear a unique costume with bells wrapped around my ankles, and I did dance to an Indian Classical Song. I am different, but I am okay with it. The audience didn’t have to like me for who I was; I had to accept myself. I needed to embrace that I was different, and once I did, nothing could ever hold me back. My skin tone, clothes, and the way I eat all define who I am.
Extracurricular activities act as building blocks towards confidence. This is why I believe it is important to support my community with the opportunity to take part in extra-curricular activities.