Senior Khadicha Kosimjonova has been chosen for Junior Achievement’s 18 Under Eighteen program.
After being one of 36 finalists for the award earlier in the school year, Kosimjonova has been announced as one of the 18 honorees. Through the program, Junior Achievement recognizes students for their leadership and other important life skills.
Kosimjonova and other honorees will be eligible for leadership training, mentorships, internships, and scholarships. There will also be a ceremony held at Acrisure Stadium on Feb. 4.
Kosimjonova has been selected for her two non-profit organizations, STEM Seeds and S.A.F.E club.
“STEM Seeds is a nonprofit that aims to plant seeds of STEM in underprivileged youth through immersive science experiments,” Kosimjonova said. “S.A.F.E. club is a nonprofit that aims to create a safe space for high school girls through discussions and STEM mentorship.”
She said she also was nominated because of involvement with the national mentoring program Thriving Elements, the pancreatic cancer organization PanCAN, and the free online tutoring service LearnWithUs.
“I’m the PA leader of Thriving Elements,” Kosimjonova said. “I run all the events for the mentoring program and advertise for PA. I also got flown out to Seattle to run a mentoring event at Amazon HQ.”
Kosimjonova also plays an important role with LearnWithUS.
“I’m the director of volunteer management for LearnWithUs, so parents and students have to have a meeting with me to get accepted into this tutoring program. I match students and tutors, and I keep logs of tutors’ volunteering hours,” Kosimjonova said.
With all of these activities, Kosimjonova has minimal free time.
“I have been busy almost 24/7 with everything I do,” Kosimjonova said.
Part of her busy schedule involves research with several universities.
“I have conducted research with the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and with a Wake Forest university professor,” she said. “Research is an incredible passion of mine, and I am excited to use research to help solve health disparities.”
Kosimjonova has big aspirations for college.
“I want to go into transplant surgery with a focus on research, specifically in autoimmune diseases,” Kosimjonova said. “I am hoping to continue my research at Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh.”
Kosimjonova overall feels good being recognized for her hard work.
“It feels nice, as you don’t really see how hard you have been working up until now,” Kosimjonova said. “I feel like I have actually succeeded and have gotten some recognition for my hard work.”
