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Youths Receive Red Cross Scholarships For Lending A Helping Hand.
Sharon J. Alfred
Monday, November 01, 2004 — The American Red Cross has awarded Navin Narayan Scholarships to two students who served as Red Cross volunteers throughout their high school years. Both award recipients, Arjun Sebastian and Nitesh Banta, received high marks and attained high achievements in school, and received great recommendations from their Red Cross chapters and high school teachers. The winning applicants were selected by the National Youth Council. Kelli Northcutt, Youth Council Chair at the time of the awards, said that when picking the winning applicants, "We try to find people that exemplify those things that Navin Narayan had—a love of academics and humanitarianism."
True to Navin Narayan's spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm, both Sebastian and Banta have already accomplished amazing things. Arjun Sebastian, who volunteers for Georgia’s Augusta Chapter, served as president of his Red Cross Youth Board, as a voting member on his Chapter's Board of Directors, and took an active part in his chapter's Youth Board Executive Committee. Arjun also takes immense pride in the work he did to enrich the lives of Gracewood State School, an institution for mentally and physically challenged people, tutoring underprivileged urban kids, and working with foster children.
Nitesh Banta also has strong community ties. A volunteer for the Stamford Chapter in Connecticut, he initiated a program that teaches elementary children the importance of donating blood, taught local restaurant management about the basics of CPR, and helped to generate more awareness and raise funds for the AIDS Awareness Day at his high school. Nitesh was elected Youth Council President at his local Red Cross chapter, chair of blood services, and treasurer of the executive board. During his tenure as Youth Council President, he created and implemented a strategic plan and increased attendance at meetings
The American Red Cross created the youth scholarship in Navin Narayan's name because he made significant humanitarian contributions to the organization. Narayan died from cancer at only 23 years of age, but he accomplished remarkable, selfless achievements, and was the youngest person to chair the National Youth Council. He is described as an "incredibly dedicated, caring, compassionate, and innovative volunteer." Narayan was a sought-after national and international speaker on human rights, and a tireless advocate for Red Cross causes. In addition to volunteering regularly in his own community, Navin Narayan had traveled to India to help poverty stricken people in that nation.
More than a third of American Red Cross volunteers are 24 years-of-age or younger
According to Ruth Parris, Program Implementation Officer of the Youth and Young Adults Programs at the Red Cross, this "scholarship program serves as a wonderful legacy for the Narayan family" and encourages the identification by Red Cross field units of youth volunteers that exhibit leadership, continual learning, and service to others. The Navin Narayan Scholarship awards $2500 directly to the recipient upon proof of enrollment at a four-year college. Parris said that this scholarship has been in place since the 2002 school year. As part of the application process, the contestants submit written essays which address the importance of receiving a well-rounded education and their future plans to continue Red Cross volunteer work throughout college and beyond.
In his essay, Arjun Sebastian wrote, "Through the Red Cross, I have learned that while goals, ambitions, and the plans to fulfill them are important, they are only important if they serve a larger purpose in life—to help others." In his application package, Nitesh Banta remarked that "The Red Cross, more than any other activity, has shown me the importance of being well-rounded. As a volunteer I have had to adjust to nearly any and every situation to meet the evolving needs of my community."
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