BANYAN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FOR SOUTH ASIAN AMERICANS
2016 BANYAN SCHOLARS
SUYASH ADHIKARI
Suyash is originally from Nepal and currently resides in Queens, New York. He went to the Bronx High School of Science and is now a senior at New York University, where he is majoring in Neuroscience with an emphasis on Prehealth. Suyash is also a huge soccer fan and loves to watch and play soccer.
TEHANI GUNARATNA
Tehani, whose family is from Sri Lanka, attended the Bronx High School of Science and is currently a senior at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. She is a double major in Management Consulting and Philosophy, and double minor in English and Psychology. On campus, she is an editor of the student run Fire & Ice Literary Magazine and is part of both the First Generation Students Alliance and the LGBTQ alliance. Off campus, she works as a bookkeeper for Spartan Races and volunteers for her local senior center.
SUNPREET SINGH
Sunpreet, who grew up in the Sikh community in Queens, attended Hillcrest High School and is now a senior at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He has a strong passion for social justice, debating, and public speaking. He writes for the student newspaper and participates in Model United Nations and Bhangra Dance. Sunpreet is interested in pursuing law and and wants to double major in international relations and economics. He also loves to follow and play basketball.
NAHIAN CHOWDHURY
Nahian, whose family is originally from Bangladesh, attends Barnard College in New York. She graduated from Midwood High School where she was the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. At Barnard, Nahian plans on majoring in English. Outside the classroom, her hobbies include reading books by women of color, nature photography and discussing topics such as intersectionality and identity.
MUHAMMAD GONDAL
Muhammad, who is originally from Pakistan, graduated from the Leon M Goldstein High School. He is pursuing his passion for finance at Bentley University in Massachusetts. Muhammad has an interest in investing and also enjoys traveling and interacting with people from all different walks of life. Muhammad hopes to eventually work full-time in a finance related field and give back to the community that has helped him through the years.
