Aanya discusses her project, "Sharing the Joys of Cultural Diversity," which focused on fostering understanding and appreciation of cultural differences among children in her community. Aanya highlights two key components of her project: facilitating discussions about cultural identity in local schools and creating a children's book that details her own experiences as an immigrant from India. She reflects on her personal struggles with cultural acceptance and the importance of embracing one’s identity. Join us as Aanya shares her insights and the impact of her work in promoting cultural diversity.

More about Aanya:

Aanya is a sophomore at Princeton University studying Molecular Biology on the pre medicine track. For her Gold Award, Aanya created a cultural education and appreciation initiative in her community to encourage children to develop their global literacy and spark their love for diversity. Aanya published a children’s book, Samosas with Saanvi, to share how she grew to love her cultural identity, capture the joys of cultural diversity, and portray the emotional journey behind acceptance. The mission of her project was to bridge the cultural literacy gap she noticed in her community, allow children to discover their own cultural identities, and foster meaningful community connections. At Princeton, Aanya is involved in The Daily Princetonian Podcast and STEM Research Journalism teams, the Undergraduate Student Government Mental Health and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees, and the Council on Science & Technology Student Advisory Board. She is very interested in scientific and medical research, working with the IMDEA Materials Institute to learn more about biomaterials and regenerative medicine, as well as Fundação Oswaldo Cruz in virology and immunology. She loves to continue sharing her book and cultural story with family, friends, and community members. In her freetime, you may find her reading the newest fantasy or mystery novel, singing karaoke with her little sister, or playing with her shih tzu poodle Daisy.

https://www.amazon.com/Samosas-Saanvi-Aanya-Kasera/dp/B0CCCKNZW3

Shay shares insights into her impactful Gold Award project, an art exhibition held at the Overture Center for the Arts. The exhibit aimed to raise awareness about mental health among teenage girls in a positive light, showcasing the strength and creativity of young women artists from the Madison and Dane County area. Shay discusses her motivation to present mental health discussions more positively and highlights the submission process that led to the selection of 16 unique artists. The episode also touches on the themes explored in the artwork, including culture and sexual identity, and the positive impact the exhibition had on attendees. Tune in to learn more about this inspiring initiative and the power of art in addressing important social issues.

About Our Guest:
I have been a proud Girl Scout for eleven years, having begun my journey as a first grade Daisy in Troop 2303. I grew up in Middleton and am currently a junior at Middleton High School. I have always been an artist with a deep love for creativity and storytelling. I enjoy drawing, reading, writing, and travel. My recent trips include visits to Barcelona and Paris, where I especially enjoyed visiting the museums and historical sites. I am hoping to pursue a career in visual arts and am currently in the process of applying to college.

@herartexhibit on Instagram

www.herartexhibit.org

Her Art Exhibit catalogue on Amazon

Marley shares her inspiring journey of curating and developing a children's art gallery in partnership with the Southwest Art Gallery and Science Center. At just 16 years old, Marley embarked on this project to provide art-related opportunities for kids in her community in North Dakota, where such resources were scarce. She discusses her passion for art as a self-taught artist, the need she identified in her community, and how her collaboration with the Southwest Art Gallery, which shares her mission, facilitated the creation of this new space. Marley reflects on her experience as a volunteer and the process of curating the first exhibit, highlighting the importance of fostering creativity among youth. Tune in to learn how one young artist is making a difference in her community through art!

About Our Guest:
My name is Marly Barnett, I am a 17-year-old Girl Scout from Troop 85112 and I live in the SW region of North Dakota. My Gold Award project, titled “SW Art Gallery and Science Center’s Children’s Gallery”, was to develop a children’s art gallery for grades K-12 within the physical building of the SW Art Gallery and Science Center. I started this project at age 16 in April 2024, and as a result, I have advanced from a volunteer position to a paid role as Student Director of the SW Art Gallery and Science Center’s Children’s Gallery in October. Most recently I added Social Media Coordinator to my responsibilities. The reason I chose this as my Gold Award project was for two reasons, one to play a more active role in my community and two, as a self-taught artist, to make the arts more accessible for young artists in Region 8 of North Dakota.