Ananya Sriram

“I hope people who knew me will remember me as someone that they could always talk to and someone who’s super approachable. I generally tend to strike up a conversation with anyone, anyplace, anytime. I hope people remember me as someone who brought a little bit of joy to their lives,” Reshma Kosaraju (12) said.

“Very bad decisions make for good stories.”

This quote alone conveys core tenets of Reshma Kosaraju’s (12) personality: her positivity, humor and ability to not take herself too seriously.

Strike up a conversation with Reshma — it comes naturally — and encounter her exuberant personality immediately. From the uninhibited way in which she expresses herself (sometimes with words she invented on her own) to the ease with which she’ll break into laughter, all result from Reshma’s commitment to representing herself authentically at all times.

“I’ve learned over time that you don’t have to mute or modify the person that you are, and you’ll find your group of people wherever you go,” Reshma said. “Over time, I internalized that realization and that helped me have this no-filter attitude.”

In the stressful environment of high school, Reshma found her way of maintaining an optimistic attitude that motivates her to continue striving toward her goals and that also brings joy to those around her. Specifically, she learned to embrace the daily mistakes and misfortunes of high school by viewing them through a humorous lens.

“It’s really hard to live your life from day to day taking everything seriously and not having fun once in a while,” Reshma said. “If you’re able to not let things bother you and maintain a more energetic demeanor, it can help the people around you as well and liven up the atmosphere. It’s definitely helped me navigate the high school experience. I’m self-sufficient in the sense that by just doing stupid things I can entertain myself and keep myself happy.”

Reshma’s positivity drives her hardworking nature, which she funnels into the pursuits she genuinely loves. Close friend Sasha Masson (12), who worked with Reshma on developing EcoQuest, a board game aimed at teaching young students the impacts of climate change, describes her uplifting influence.

“I think that she’s a really positive and humble person and I think there’s not many people like that,” Sasha said. “She embodies that positivity and spreads that around her. She’s also extremely humble: she’s one of the most accomplished people I know yet you wouldn’t know that about her by just having a conversation because she’s extremely humble.”

Close friend Ananya Sriram (12) recalls several moments throughout high school in which, after turning to Reshma during a difficult time, she emerged from the conversation laughing and feeling more hopeful. Above all, Ananya highlights Reshma’s distinctive personality which she hopes her friend will always hold on to.

“I hope she understands that her abilities and talents are so unique,” Ananya said. “Her personality is so charming, and she’s very much a one-of-a-kind friend. I’m ridiculously lucky to have met someone like her who has that kind of energy and ability to cheer people up. I hope she never loses that feeling of confidence no matter how hard it gets.”

Part of Reshma’s commitment to authenticity lies in her unflinching dedication to her cultural roots, which manifests in everything from wearing cultural clothing for prom to curating playlists consisting of Bollywood songs. From a young age, Reshma traveled to India every summer to reconnect with her grandparents, enjoy authentic cuisine and shop.

“From the start, in my childhood, I’d spent a lot of time in India, so growing up I always knew that that would be an important part of who I am,” Reshma said. “That’s part of why I value family so much. That time I spent there ensured I didn’t have to be afraid of expressing that part of myself.”

To maintain a connection to her cultural roots, Reshma also engages in a form of Indian classical dance known as “kuchipudi,” an almost theatrical performance which conveys a story in Indian mythology. Reshma explains how this form of dance influenced her ability to express herself more authentically.

“There’s a lot of storytelling involved, so that has helped me get in touch with my emotions and learn to express them, so that’s probably why I’m such an expressive person,” Reshma said. “It’s the act of telling that story on stage and since there’s a huge emphasis on expressions and stuff. Through this form of dance, it’s something you have to do.”

While Reshma’s playfulness brings joy to her friends, it does not diminish her ability to connect with them when they’re facing difficulties. Close friend Anika Mantripragada (12), who met Reshma in seventh grade, recalls the moment over a year ago when she lost a close relative and knew immediately that Reshma was the person whom she could rely on for comfort and healing.

“That was my first experience with grief, and my first instinct was to call Reshma,” Anika said. “She dropped everything and called me, and we spoke for 30 or 40 minutes about our memories with our grandfathers and how much we’re going to miss them. She was so generous and giving me all these tips to make dealing with the grief easier. She didn’t have to go to the lengths that she did but she did it anyway.”

As she leaves Harker, Reshma reflects on the relationships she forged on campus and expresses her hope that she left a positive impact on those she has known. 

“I hope people who knew me will remember me as someone that they could always talk to and someone who’s super approachable,” Reshma said. “I generally tend to strike up a conversation with anyone, anyplace, anytime. I hope people remember me as someone who brought a little bit of joy to their lives.”