Stacks of rainbow-colored books line the floor-to-ceiling shelves as Ariya Reddy (12) meanders through endless aisles. Perusing the selection, she searches for her next social science read. Next door is the Los Altos History Museum, an establishment that has become a source of endless fascination for Ariya over the last couple of years. After spotting a particularly intriguing title, she eagerly pulls it off the shelf and heads back to her study table, eager to dive in. 

Over the past two years, Ariya has honed in on her love for history. Between assuming the position of editor for the Harker Herald history journal and volunteering at the Los Altos History Museum, her interest in the subject has only grown. 

“[The museum] is obviously a place that’s really local to me, and it’s a very intimate history,” Ariya said. “I feel like when you learn about local history that really affects you, you have the opportunity to understand the nuances of people who directly affected your area.”

But her thirst for knowledge isn’t limited to just history. Ariya’s insatiable curiosity extends to any and all subjects, no matter the discipline, a dedication that has stemmed from her upbringing and the values that her parents have instilled in her over the years. 

“My family has always told me that education is the most important thing, and I really also believe that,” Ariya said. “I always want to learn about things that are interdisciplinary. I fell in love with subjects that work together. That’s why I like computer science and history.”

Her inquisitive nature permeates both her academic and personal life. Emma Biswas (12), who has been friends with Ariya since sixth grade, has come to admire and appreciate Ariya’s relentless drive as they’ve grown closer. 

“It’s really nice seeing how passionate she is about subjects,” Emma said. “Seeing the way she would ask questions and be curious about things was very admirable. I’ve seen her read books on her own time just because she’s interested in that, and that’s something I couldn’t do, so it’s nice seeing the way she loves to learn.”

Her commitment to learning also bleeds into her free time, when she spends her evenings sitting in on various college classes that pique her interest. This unusual hobby originated from a dare from her sister during the summer and has since become an integral part of her self-directed education. 

“Over the summer, my sister dared me to come to one of her Stanford classes with her to see what happens, so I did that, and I realized it’s so easy to sit in on these classes,” Ariya said. “So I started going to college classes for fun. I just go to classes and learn things, and I love it because I have no idea what’s going on most of the time but whenever I can scrape together any connection with something I actually do know, it feels really good.”

The combination of Ariya’s passion for learning and interest in history led her to develop a deep appreciation for libraries. To her, the rows of books represent the importance of information, education and the past. 

“I have a list of libraries I want to visit,” Ariya said. “You can learn so much. I went to this library in San Francisco, and I was just doing my math homework, but there was a really pretty mural on the ceiling that made me say ‘Wow.’ I did some research about the library, and I couldn’t believe I was sitting in this room just doing my math homework when there was so much history around me.”

While reflecting on her continuous drive for information, Ariya also highlights the important role her friends play in her life. For Ariya, spending quality time with her friends and learning about their passions is just as important as the knowledge she gains through her academic pursuits. 

“I like that I’m curious about other people,” Ariya said. “I really love learning about my friends, and I think it’s nice to ask people about their passions. I also think when my friends need help that I help them. I don’t have many friends that I’m really close with, but the friends that I have, I love them a lot.”

Ariya’s commitment to her friends is a defining characteristic that has not gone unnoticed by those around her. Over the past six years, Ally Lee (12) has come to appreciate Ariya’s dedication to their relationship.

“She’s really easy to talk to — she’s a really good friend and listener,” Ally said. “Whenever she’s really passionate about something, she talks about it a lot and it’s insightful to witness.”

While Ariya’s curiosity may not always be immediately evident, upper school biology teacher Dr. Matthew Harley, who taught her in her junior year, advises her to showcase this side of her more readily.

“I’m surprised, looking back on it, that she became that type of [engaged] student,” Dr. Harley said. “She was so obviously out there with her curiosity and creativity. I certainly wouldn’t have imagined that in the first couple of months of having her in class.”

Ariya’s engagement in the classroom and her extracurricular activities relates back to the value that history holds for her. Learning new things, particularly about people of the past, is a way to pay homage to those who came before her and pave the path into the future. 

“If all of us want to be remembered in the future for all our nuances, that starts with first remembering everyone else,” Ariya said. “Everyone who came before us had these complex and intricate lives that deserve to be remembered in the same way all of us right now do in the future.”