This blog post is part of our celebration of charter school graduates across the country and their achievements. Join us in celebrating our #CharterGrads!
With two loving parents who motivated me to do my best, I am Sameer Sridhar, a first-generation American. My parents are from southern India. They sacrificed everything to move to the United States with hopes of providing my sister and I with a better life.
I was born in South Florida, in Pembroke Pines. Luckily, living here provided the opportunity to attend Somerset Academy Charter High School. Growing up, my parents didn’t force but always encouraged me to find my raison d’etre and give it my all. Although my education was always a priority, perfection was not an expectation. Discovering my passion has motivated me to actively shape what I want my life to be after high school.
I have always been an extrovert, fascinated with people and languages. My passion is science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but I deeply enjoy world cultures. To integrate the two I found the perfect solution—I’ll be attending the Georgia Institute of Technology, double majoring in industrial engineering and international affairs and modern languages. It is a perfect blend for me, allowing me to thrive in STEM fields whilst utilizing my interpersonal communication skills to catalyze global impact. As a current high school senior and with the help of Somerset faculty and staff–individuals who have truly invested in me–I will graduate at the top of my class and with my associate degree alongside my high school diploma.
Attending a charter school has put me in a position to form real bonds with my teachers and administrators. I don’t feel like a small fish in a big pond. With a class of just over 200 seniors, I feel more like a big fish in a small pond. Somerset has given me more than I could have asked for from an educational institution. It has given me a family who taught me valuable lessons, such as the importance of one-on-one communication and genuinely caring for others. I thank my Somerset family, for the countless guidance and wisdom imparted on my classmates and me.
Thanks to my immediate family and my new found family at Somerset, I know who I am and what I want to do. I will use my drive to earn a living that will support my family and myself. The sacrifice my parents made to leave their home country was worth it. I will use my education to help others around the world. I am a son, a brother, a friend, a student, a leader, and a future industrial engineer. I am Sameer Sridhar.
Sameer Sridhar is a graduate from Somerset Academy Charter High School and will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology.
[Click to Tweet] Recent high school grad Sameer Sridhar thanks his school administration for the support they provided helping him to thrive in the STEM field! He’ll be attending @GeorgiaTech this fall #CharterGrads
