Pooja Sunar is a fantastic student, trailblazer, and friend to all; she has shown particular maturity and leadership in her time here at Poly and in her own life. As a native of Nepal, much of the Asian culture from home puts pressure on her to prove her abilities as a young woman in seeming “competition” with her male counterparts. However, as a future first-generation college student fluent in three languages, cultures, and resilience, she is sure to impress many. She has been able to overcome immigrating to the US, learning a new language, and navigating a third culture and country. Pooja is an inspiration to all who have ever struggled with culture-shock and feeling at home. While the realities of her world can weigh heavy, she has shown that she can put a positive twist on everything she puts her mind to. So, with her bubbly, determined attitude in all that she sees, Pooja has exemplified initiative in the MERIT Health Leadership Academy, The Johns Hopkins Violet Project, and Baltimore Ceasefire 365 movement. She has also been able to conduct a research project with the Assistant Dean of Social Work at Morgan State University and is in the process of presenting at the annual Critical Race Scholars in Social Work, all while maintaining straight A’s in school. She is also currently a volunteer at the Baltimore Project Plase homeless shelter while being a Student Tutor and Babysitter to immigrant kids, and many other roles. It is clear that Pooja’s heart towards classmates, her community, and other people who have immigrated to the US is remarkable and so the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute is excited to see her go into Public Health and continue her passion for access work in college.