Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1540856
A TFSer since PK, Rohan always embraced being part of something bigger. Whether through academics, sports or service, he found meaning in connecting with others. "Since I was young, I just wanted to convince people that they can do it. That's what I always needed." As captain of the basketball team, he was proud to be a two-time Most Valuable Player, not just for his performance, but for how he led. "I wasn't always the best player, but I worked hard. The second time I got the award, it was because I was a leader." That same drive to uplift others formed his path beyond the court. Rohan's passion for STEM began early through TFS' diverse programs. "From Grade 6, I could learn coding and computer science and that really changed how I saw the world. It changed how I saw the future." This thinking spurred him to establish Bright Futures: A JB Foundation, a student- led registered charity providing educational resources to children in India. "I wanted to make sure kids had the same opportunities I did. Not everyone goes to TFS, but everyone should have access to a book, a computer or a teacher." Rohan navigated unfamiliar territory, working with lawyers to secure registered charity status, and he reflects, "I wasn't used to asking for help, but this wasn't for me, it was for the kids." For his efforts, Rohan received the Keva Garg Award at the summer HOSA - Future Health Professionals convention, a global student organization that aims to promote career opportunities in the health industry. Just as Bright Futures opened doors for others, Rohan's own doors were opened through language. For Rohan, speaking French became second nature early on. "I'd like to say French was my first language." He remembers a moment during a family trip to France, when his mom asked him, at around age eight or nine, to speak to hotel staff. "The staff were shocked that I spoke French so fluently. I ended up getting a box of chocolates and a better room. That made me feel like this skill I had was actually valued." Rohan, whose curiosity for medicine has been nurtured from a young age, is pursuing Medical Sciences at Western University, with hopes of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. "My dad is a family doctor, he used to work at a nursing home where I volunteered when I was 16," he says. Much like his experience with Bright Futures, Rohan found meaning in serving those who needed it most. "If I'm putting my heart and soul into something, I want to make sure that work has an impact. I want to make sure that I get home one day, exhausted, but still have a smile on my face, saying, 'Yeah, I made a difference.'" DESTINATION / DESTINATION Western University PROGRAMME / PROGRAM Medical Sciences ROHAN C. 40 ENTRE NOUS