August Volunteer of the Month: Arya Mahajan, Highlands Youth Advisory Board

Being a volunteer and being the president of the Highlands Youth (HY) Advisory Board has been a very rewarding experience.

My volunteering journey in Issaquah Highlands started when I was in fifth grade. I remember my first event was volunteering at Highlands Day. I worked at a station where people would write positive and encouraging letters to firefighters. I was exhausted after my shift, but it felt super exhilarating and rewarding knowing that I helped my community. This experience gave me a little taste of what I could achieve if I volunteered and got involved with the HY board.

I have continued to volunteer since then, becoming a board member in 2020 and getting elected as a co-president this year. When I was first selected for the HY Board in 2020, I started by helping to host events at Grand Ridge Plaza, Blakely Hall and more. These opportunities gave me great insights on what it takes to be a member of the board. They also taught me about the importance of teamwork, problem solving and leadership. I got to meet many students who I didn’t know before, and I enjoyed brainstorming and sharing ideas with fellow volunteers.

I attended and volunteered at a lot of events over the last few years. My most memorable events were the summer Global Grub & Groove celebrations, which celebrate various cultures represented in our community. These events require a lot of work, coordination and organization as we try to incorporate art, music, cuisine and traditions from the culture that is being celebrated.

For me, the most memorable Global Grub & Groove was the celebration of Indian Independence Day, where we had live music, dance, henna and great food. By celebrating diverse cultures in our community, we enhance the living experience for all of us.

Additionally, it was inspiring to see our community embrace Juneteenth as a newly established federal holiday. Music, art displays, demos and tasty treats made the celebration an enjoyable evening for all. In addition to cultural celebrations, we also have other fun events like Treats & Tails and the Middle School Halloween Party.

After a year and a half of being on the board, I wanted to start taking more of a lead role. When I got elected as a co-president, my goals were to increase internal HY board participation and increase our scope to help reach more aspects of our community. I am proud to have started the youth Mentor Program, where students who are interested in learning more about the HY board can shadow and work with HY board members.

I wish to continue to spread our horizons and expand the domain of community service the HY board offers. As a member of the youth board, I have learned how to effectively lead, manage and organize meetings and events. In addition, taking up the role of president has been a humbling experience. I have found my passion for serving and leading and would like to continue to serve in different capacities going into my professional career.

Arya is a Kirk Park resident.