Raagini Jawa, daughter of Dr. Amal Jawa of New Hampshire graduated from Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen, MA on Friday May 25. She graduated valedictorian of her class and plans to attend Boston University (BU) for the seven year accelerated medical program. Her future plans are to utilize her medical knowledge for the benefit of the underprivileged population the world over.  

Raagini was awarded the prestigious Cardinal Medeiros Scholarship to Boston University, presented by His Eminence Sean Cardinal O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, and Boston University President Robert A. Brown at a ceremony on May 21. Medeiros scholarships are granted to students on the basis of their academic achievements, demonstrated leadership skills, and contributions to their schools and communities.

Raagini also won the Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student scholarship contest. Of the 15,000 students nationwide who applied to this scholarship, five hundred earned a spot in the national finals. Raagini topped the local, district, and also New Hampshire state competition, and placed third in the country, winning a coveted award towards her college education.
Raagini graduated from PMA with several leadership and academic honors which include being the President of National Honor Society, Vice President of her class, Captain of the Math Team. the lead cantor/singer of her school choir, Treasurer of French Club, member of Interact, volunteer math and science tutor, founder of the after school peer Enrichment Program with the National Honor Society, Science Bowl member, and actress/singer in school’s major productions. 

Raagini is talented in the field of music and art since her early childhood. She has been learning Hindustani Classical music with Ranganjali School of music under the guidance of her guru Shrimati Swati Pandaji. She has also been playing the violin for the past 9 years. She has played in her school orchestra, accompanied pianists, singers, her school’s musicals, and played in the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra. With the help and guidance of her mother, she has continued to be connected to her Indian roots. She learns the Esraj, an ancient Indian instrument from Shri Dipankar Deshmukhji and is the only female Esraj player in the New England area. She has performed at several cultural programs as a soloist with tabla accompaniment.

Amal and Raagini are active members of the Indian community. They enjoy and participate in all cultural events and gatherings. Raagini is a mix of academics, talent, and leadership. She has to her credit a 2nd degree black belt in marital arts as well.

Community service is a big part of Raagini’s life. She has been a regular volunteer at local hospitals and homeless shelters. She also organized the Daffodil days for the American Cancer Society at her school and Pennies for Patients for Leukemia research.

Raagini and Amal have been very involved with fundraising for Sankara Eye Foundation with her project Amar Jyoti par Vijay to help contribute towards the goal of vision 20-20 by year 2020 (www.geocities.com/indiankaratekid ). Throughout her high school career, she received several awards some of which include: Honorable mention for the Dupont Science Essay competition on the effects of the Apolipoprotein A-1 Milano mutation on atherosclerosis, Lions Club Speech Contest school, club, zone, regional winner, district Runners up, highest honors in AP Biology, AP US History, Computers Plus, Life Science Scholar at Brandeis University, and many others.

Raagini is very focused and determined to excel at her goals. In order to achieve that, she went above and beyond academic opportunities offered by her school and took college courses at Tufts and Northern Essex Community College.

We all wish her and all graduates of the class of 2007 the best of luck for future endeavors.  

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