About Sonali

Hello all. I am a happy high schooler and am so glad you are reading this.

As I write this confined indoors by the pandemic, I am grateful for the many opportunities and
friendships made through academics, community service, debate, orchestra, chorus, track, basketball and so much more. Perhaps what I miss the most is the funny and lively cafeteria conversations with my friends!

I have also realized the value of my own voice as a member of my high school’s Speech &
Debate team. But more importantly, I have learned how important it is to listen and to hear other
voices. Collectively we can do so much as a human race --- by using our voices to engage in
respectful ongoing dialogue --- to address our issues.

My awareness of the power of discourse has given rise to this – ‘The Lumina Show with
Sonali’*. My goal is to use an online platform to address issues, especially those of interest to
Generation Z, with a featured guest and peers, to raise awareness and together move close to
practical solutions.

I am proud to be Indian American, but quite frankly have wondered why ethnicities are only
mentioned for some, and not for all.

From tour guides to those in the marketplace, with their stereotypical attitudes, assuming that if
you look like me, you must not know English - to people assuming I participate in activities
simply for the college application - or some feeling surprised that I celebrate certain holidays, I find it disturbing how others formulate opinions about me without truly knowing me.

Scenarios like this have reminded me how important it is to have knowledge - not just the
textbook kind – but rather social and emotional awareness.

As the pandemic veers away, the cafeteria chats with friends, will hopefully continue and move
on to some permanence even beyond our high school days and perhaps with even more rigor
and meaning through ‘The Lumina Show with Sonali’.

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*Lumina, in Latin, means to light or to enlighten