Indian American Student Gets Milken Scholars Award

India-West Staff Reporter

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Milken Scholars Program, a prestigious joint initiative of the Milken Institute and the Milken Family Foundation, has selected ten outstanding students from Los Angeles County for its esteemed 2023 scholarship program. Among the recipients is Asha Goyal, a remarkable high school senior from Immaculate Heart High School.

The Milken Scholars program is open to college-bound high school seniors in Los Angeles County, Washington, D.C., and New York City. Candidates are rigorously selected based on their exceptional academic achievements, commitment to community service, leadership skills, and ability to overcome personal challenges.

Recipients receive a $10,000 scholarship, and more importantly, gain a lifelong support system that includes ongoing college advising, career-related counseling, assistance in securing internships, opportunities for community service, and a fund to assist their pursuit of post-undergraduate career goals.

Goyal’s dedication to her community and impressive achievements caught the attention of the Milken Scholars selection committee. As the youth representative on the Olympic Park Neighborhood Council, she actively represents 22,000 constituents in Los Angeles. Her role includes voting on local ordinances, drafting community impact statements, overseeing discretionary grants, organizing community events, and playing a pivotal role in allocating the council’s $42,000 annual budget.

Moreover, Goyal’s involvement in various councils and organizations demonstrates her passion for civic engagement and environmental advocacy. As a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council for Climate Action and the LA City Youth Council, she helped with policy and budget recommendations on critical issues like water pollution, permeable pavement, and green streetscapes.

Academically, Asha Goyal has proven herself as a standout student. As the valedictorian of Immaculate Heart High School, she has been named an AP Scholar with Distinction and served as a California Girls State delegate. Goyal’s leadership skills shone through as the captain of the Science Bowl team, where she led weekly practices for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Science Bowl.

Beyond academics, Goyal has left an indelible impact on her school’s community. As the vice president of the student council, she spearheaded initiatives such as the first annual senior Sunrise and actively promoted financial literacy among her peers. Moreover, she has been an ardent advocate for sustainability and the environment as the president of the Earth Club, working tirelessly to reduce food waste on campus and eliminate plastic packaging from the cafeteria.

Her accomplishments extend to sports as well where she was the captain of the school’s varsity tennis team. Her leadership earned her First Team All-League, Most Valuable Player, and Team Leadership awards.

Outside of school, Goyal’s commitment to service shines through in her various volunteering endeavors. From her role as an usher at the Hollywood Bowl to leading a four-day spiritual retreat for 60 students as a Kairos leader, she has shown a consistent dedication to making a positive impact in her community. Additionally, she has been involved in tutoring elementary students at Alexandria House, a shelter for families escaping domestic violence, and preparing meals for low-income families at the Regis House Community Center.

Goyal’s future aspirations align with her passion for public service. She will attend Yale University to study political science, with her eyes set on a potential career in public policy.

Past recipients of the award include the renowned inaugural poet Amanda Gorman, esteemed diplomat Ruben Harutunian, accomplished medical professional Dr. Joelle Simpson, and award-winning entrepreneur Emanuel Yekutiel.

Others who won the 2023 award are: Dayanara Chavez, (Northwestern University); Karen Garcia, (Columbia University); Eyael Hailmariam, (Vanderbilt University); David Lee, (Yale); Steven Li (University of Pennsylvania); Julissa Mendoza, (UCLA); Neo Phuchane, (UCLA); Brandon Quach, (Yale); and Jun Woo Shin, (University of Chicago)