Aneesha came to MSS after her freshman year at HMBHS. Though determined and hardworking, her grades reflected her struggle with reading, organization, and test-taking. We worked with Aneesha to build her confidence and skills throughout high school. Aneesha worked with Liz Murphy to hone her college application while studying to improve her SAT scores. The last semester of her senior year was her best; she blossomed, her confidence was noticeable and she felt very capable.

Aneesha was accepted by a number of colleges. She chose to attend Portland State University, working toward an Environmental Science Degree in the Honors program. As a rising sophomore, she earned a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (R.E.U.) Internship, granted by the National Science Foundation. During this time, she was part of an atmospheric research team that studied diesel emissions in the Portland area and presented the team’s results at the American Geophysical Union 2018 Fall Meeting, in Washington D.C. Aneesha continues to excel as a student that truly cares about the environment and her community. She has traveled to many countries and would like to work in the Peace Corps. She says, “I have every intention of using my degree to work towards remediating issues that affect those who suffer from environmental injustice.”