Model UN Secretary General, Science Olympiad Co-Captain, and Eagle’s Eye Editor-in-Chief Ishani Bakshi ‘26 has been honored as Rotary’s September Senior of the Month.
“It was really awesome to win it, especially in September, as it feels like a really positive start to my senior year,” Bakshi said.
Over her four years at Edison High, Bakshi has taken on leadership roles in several major clubs while also representing the school at prestigious programs such as the Governor’s School in the Sciences and the New Jersey Governor’s STEM Scholars program. She credits her involvement in clubs and her dedication to building relationships with peers as key reasons for her recognition.
“I am grateful for my community—my family, friends, and classmates,” she said. “The academic community really pushes me to keep being better and doing better, and then my friends and family give me a place to come back to at the end of the day.”
She also expressed appreciation for her teachers, including Ms. Kruti Singh, Dr. Gene Nasser, Ms. Kristen Tsaoys, and Mr. Michael Evans, for encouraging her to grow not only academically but also personally.
One of Bakshi’s most memorable high school experiences was with the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam. Alongside seven classmates, she designed biochar pods and floating treatment wetlands to help clean up the Raritan River, presenting the project at MIT. She looks back on getting to interact with her peers, being able to travel, and getting some of the college experience as the best moments at EHS.
Looking ahead, Bakshi plans to pursue engineering with a focus on entrepreneurship and sustainability. She hopes to continue applying her curiosity and problem-solving skills to create a meaningful impact.
To underclassmen, Bakshi advises taking advantage of the wealth of opportunities at EHS. She encourages students to try out different clubs and activities, in and out of school. She highlights learning from the upperclassmen.
“Some of the best opportunities I had in high school were due to the guidance I had from those older than me, especially inside the EHS STEM Academy,” said Bakshi.
