Published on Nov. 19, 2024

Take a trip down memory lane as we highlight some of the past recipients of the Kevin Heisinger Memorial Award!

Rohith Ryali, hailing from Ellisville, MO, received the award during the 2019 Academy. As a scholar, he took classes on board game design and math. Ryali is now pursuing a degree in Medical Science at the Boston University School of Medicine!

What does community service mean to you? 

Community service is a way to do my part in uplifting the community and people around me. It’s the ability to take time to give back to the people and communities that have shaped you in the past, but will only continue to shape you going forward as well, that makes it most exciting for me.

What service activities did you participate in at MSA? 

I chose to attend the volunteer activities almost every available day. Two of my favorite activities were playing bingo and spending time with residents at a local nursing home, and gardening and collecting vegetables at one of the local farms.

How have you continued your volunteerism after the Academy? 

I have continued volunteerism, steering it more towards my future career in medicine by volunteering in various hospitals to assist patients in their daily activities.

How can young people get involved with service activities within their communities?

The local news magazines and bulletin boards at town halls are a great place to start! Usually, there are various service activity postings in places like these, and once you attend one event, like-minded individuals can introduce you to other activities in the community, or you can team up to start up your own service activity/organization.

What is one fun fact about you that others may not know?

I taught myself how to write with both hands!