Niwot High School Senior Spotlight: Sanjana Kaushik

The Left Hand Valley Courier is known for its coverage of athletes and arts students at Niwot High School. The Courier also honors an array of students who pursue activities such as community service, robotics, academics, and topics that fall under the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) umbrella.

Niwot High School senior Sanjana Kaushik is involved in a myriad of activities at Niwot High School. For example, she immerses herself in instrumental music, playing flute, tenor saxophone, and guitar with Niwot's band program. Through her love of music and all things creative, Kaushik has also found community in multiple Niwot clubs, including Club Heartbeat, Knitting Club, and Key Club.

Kaushik has been performing in band since the sixth grade. Stemming from a love of piano starting at a young age six, her musical passion has grown into something much bigger, hence her newfound focus on multiple instruments.

Niwot High School's Marching Band is a tight knit group of hard-working musicians who strive to build community spirit while learning along the way. Here, Kaushik has furthered her passion for teamwork and partnership.

These valuable traits have grown with her participation in the "Link Crew" at Niwot High. Link Crew members are tasked with guiding incoming freshmen into the difficult change from middle school to high school, giving them a source of comfort in a sea of unfamiliarity.

In addition, through The Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools, Kaushik competed in the RISE Colorado Competition, a challenge to "create a generation of citizens with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to improve community resilience to natural disasters." Placing third, Kaushik listed this as her proudest high school achievement.

Having applied to nine schools, Kaushik is currently facing the tough decision as to where to attend college. She has begun the process of evaluating priorities and deciding on a major, leaning into the psychology aspect of education.

Although Kaushik is not sure what she would like to do in the future, she embraces the broad goal of wanting to "to do something that will help others and benefit the community." She has a clear passion for those in need, and intends to use her education for good.

Kaushik said, "I think psychology is such an interesting subject. I am passionate about psychology because I want to be able to help people who are dealing with something hard and be able to make a difference. I aspire to make everyone feel included and welcomed which I believe psychology will help me do."