Accomplishments:

President’s Award for Educational Excellence

Member of American MENSA

1st Place in the Freedom’s Sisters Essay Competition for Dallas, The Women’s Museum

2008 – 2009 Grand Prize winner North Dallas Regional Elementary Science Fair

Hi, my name is Soumya Mandava. I am an 8th grader at Ereckson Middle School in Allen ISD. I am a well-rounded person, however I excel in education. My favorite subjects in school are math, reading, robotics and the gifted and talented program.

In 2008-09 academic year, I received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence at the elementary school level. The purpose of the award is to honor student achievement and hard work. It also provides individual recognition from the President and the U.S. Secretary of Education for outstanding effort in meeting challenging standards of excellence. I have always been an A Honor Roll student. I have received commended performance on the TAKS tests since the 3rd grade.

I am the construction team captain for my school robotics club. We participate in CoCo BEST Robotics competitions. The BEST program is a sports-like technology competition that seeks to inspire and motivate students towards studies and careers in engineering, science and technology.

In the past, I played soccer and basketball. I am a decent swimmer and ice skater. In my spare time, I might be seen playing with my younger sister, spending time with my family, hanging out with my friends, playing on the computer, playing the clarinet, watching TV or reading a book. I volunteered at the Allen public library as a puppeteer for young children. I am also a member of Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary’s Youth Volunteer program.

Once I complete 10th grade in Allen ISD, I hope to attend Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS). After high school, I want to go to Harvard to be a pediatrician. With hard work, commitment and dedication I hope to pursue and accomplish this dream.

From my family, I have learned four key values. Charity (give more than what you take), love (love God, yourself, your family and your country), honor (honor all people, including yourself) and respect (show respect to each individual). I will do everything in my capacity to make them my virtues and be a good human being.

Learn more about the Texas Girls' State Fair and sign your young woman up for next year's TGSF by visiting www.thewomensmuseum.org.