Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Ray Hamilton, Cordele Dispatch

 

Searching for answers is the minds default status. Sometimes we ask, “What is Life?” Other times we ask ourselves, “Where did I put my keys?” In Crisp County, just like every other county in the U.S. we have schools to teach future community members, and future leaders. When they achieve leadership positions in the future, they will ask themselves, “How do I solve this problem?” “How do I serve the greater good?” Aashi Patel is one of those leaders of the future who will be tackling with big problems and coming up with common sense solutions to those problems. We can take comfort in the fact that she will approach any problem large or small and find an earnest solution that helps the most people. Aashi Patel is a student at Crisp County High School. She is a young person who is interested in science. She is interested in music. She is concerned with helping others, and she reads books! Will wonders never cease? She does all these things out of a natural impulse of curiosity. She always seems to be echoing the words of President John F. Kennedy who famously said “Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country.” When he made that admonition during his inaugural speech in 1961, we can suppose that he might have someone in mind just like Aashi Patel. Now that we are firmly in the 21^st century and find ourselves on the precipice of another inauguration, it’s quite refreshing to speak with a student who exudes empathy and purpose to such a degree. Aashi is the recipient of a grant from the Bullard Community of Champions which partners with Chick-fil-A, and the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership development. She’s also part of the high school band, a member of the BETA Club, the CTSO Club, the HOSA Club and she’s only a junior in high school.

When someone has an innate affinity for public service, enormous empathy, and insatiable curiosity it’s best to let her lead and get out of the way. Michelle Grinnell, who is one of her counselors is proud of Aashi’s remarkable achievements at such a young age. As a member of Youth LEAD Georgia, Aashi is the only student in the area, and one of only 30 to qualify for this award (Community of Champions) in the whole state of Georgia. That is indeed quite an achievement. Her teachers continually describe Aashi as someone who goes the extra mile, someone who is looking for another hill to climb. Even though she is early on life’s journey, she has already met with business leaders like Dan Cathy, Chairman of Chick-fil-A. She has also met Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House, which is a non-profit dedicated to furthering economic mobility by bridging social division. Mr. Bullard himself is a best-selling author, and a former JAG Officer in the U.S. Air Force. For Aashi to be meeting with, and establishing a rapport with these titans of business will only enhance her odds in fulfilling her goals in the future. Not only does Aashi have a curious mind, but she is also very well-rounded. One can see at a glance that she has varied interests, and is greatly encouraged by her parents. This encouragement servers her well in her many pursuits. This combination has resulted in a student who has a creative outlet, like playing in the high school band, but also, she can meet academic challenges like those found in the prestigious BETA Club which was formed in 1934. The BETA Club’s mission is to recognize students for their achievement, character, and leadership qualities. It’s certainly true that Aashi Patel meets the criteria for such an organization.

Aashi says she wants to study science when she gets to college. Her interests lean towards chemistry and biology. There’s no doubt that for someone with such empathy and intellect that’s she’ on the right path. When someone so young shows a passion for books and helping others, any effort to encourage a good heart can only have a positive effect on us all.