At first, Neha Tallapragada (12) sat and talked quietly while holding her blue Contigo water bottle, but as time passed, she opened up and was not afraid to voice her thoughts.

One thing that has always meant a lot to Neha is community. When she was a child, she moved around a lot, so finding and connecting with a new community was something that she always did.

“When I was younger I moved around a lot so community quickly became more than a place to me. The best type of community is when a collective group of people choose to interact with each other and how they choose to express themselves and their affection and love towards each. It doesn’t matter what type of school you go to as long as you’re surrounded by people who have that kind of integrity or that kind of kindness about them,” said Neha.

When she first came to Harker, Neha was reserved and uncertain about the type of community that Harker offers, but as time went on, she was able to make close friends with her peers and teachers.

“Over the years she’s become much more confident about her abilities and her incredible talents. As she’s gotten to become an adult she’s really blossomed and become a more confident and sure of herself as a person.” said Jennifer Siraganian, Neha’s advisor and upper school English teacher.

Even with everything going on in her life, Neha manages to set aside time for her personal life as well. She never fails to follow up with a friend and ask specific questions about their lives or an important activity.

“She’s very easy to reach and will always help you with whatever you need and she’ll go out of her way to help you. If she tells me that she would share a study guide with me she would share it right away,” said Neha’s friend Lily Wancewicz (12).

At first glance, Neha often seems shy and reserved, but as she opens up, her goofy and funny attitude becomes evident.

“During one debate tournament she came into my room and we just talked to each other and watched movies. It was really memorable because we were both really tired and we both kept saying really weird things,” said senior Anusha Kuppahally, who was on the debate team with Neha.

Neha always remembers to care for everyone around her, whether she knows them or not, and that is reflected in the passions and activities that she loves. Her love for other people stemmed from her making many different friends as a child because of her moving around.

“When I volunteered in the hospital I volunteered in the baby unit and one time I had to just charge a woman who had a stillborn child and it was interesting talking to her. That fostered my interest in that specific field of medicine, in fetal maternal health but also public health and community health and how social factors may influence people’s health,” said Neha.

Even though Neha may be doing many different activities, she manages to keep everything in her life orderly and together.

“She’s just doing so many things and she’s so passionate about everything. You see her at different activities and meetings throughout the day and you’ll be like wow how is she doing all of that,” said Prameela Kottapalli, her close friend.

Neha is a firm believer in choosing one’s own path and that people can become whatever they choose to become.

“Nothing right now matters. I know it sounds pessimistic but I really don’t think it is. I personally don’t think there is a set purpose for anyone’s life, and in that sense it can become exactly what they want it to be. Your life is what you make of it and I take that very literally. There is no set way of doing things, so just focus on what matters to you and if everyone does that then we the world would just be so much happier,” said Neha.