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The journey to becoming an Eagle Scout is marked by perseverance, leadership, and a commitment to serving the community. FCS is proud to announce it has two Eagle Scouts among its students, Neil Makur and Shanmukh Prabhala.

Shanmukh’s Project

Recent graduate Shanmukh embarked on his scouting journey six years ago. His path to Eagle Scout was marked by gradual progress, with the rank of Life Scout attained over two years prior to his Eagle Scout project.

His Eagle Scout project involved a landscaping initiative for Olivera Elementary, where he had spent his elementary years. The project aimed to revitalize a plot of land on the school grounds, transforming it into a functional and aesthetically pleasing area for children to play.

The undertaking was no small feat. Shanmukh and his team spent five days leveling the ground, removing approximately three tons of clay soil. The challenging terrain required innovative solutions, including the use of specialized equipment such as a jackhammer and a tiller to break through the clay. Despite the physical demands, Shanmukh remained undeterred, showcasing resilience and determination throughout the project.

As the leader of the project, Shanmukh oversaw every aspect, from securing materials to coordinating workdays and managing timelines. His leadership skills were put to the test as he navigated challenges and motivated his team to stay focused on the end goal.

Reflecting on his journey, Shanmukh highlighted the personal growth he experienced, particularly in decision-making and responsibility. He emphasized the importance of being adaptable and thinking on one's feet, qualities that proved invaluable in leading a successful Eagle Scout project.

When asked about advice for aspiring Eagle Scouts, Shanmukh shared a nuanced perspective. While acknowledging the significance of the rank, he emphasized the importance of enjoying the scouting journey itself, rather than viewing it as a checklist. For Shanmukh, the joy was in the experiences gained along the way, with the Eagle Scout rank serving as a culmination rather than the sole objective.

Neil’s Project

Neil’s journey to Eagle Scout was a testament to his commitment to community service and leadership. Having been involved in scouting since fifth grade, Neil’s recent achievement of the Eagle Scout rank marked a significant milestone in his scouting career.

For his Eagle Scout project, Neil undertook the task of constructing a mobile cabinet for Angel Aid, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting children affected by abuse and neglect. The project aimed to provide additional storage space for food donations, facilitating the organization's efforts in serving the community more effectively.

One of the most significant challenges Neil faced was balancing leadership with maintaining team morale. Despite encountering resistance from some team members more interested in socializing than working, Neil remained steadfast in his commitment to the project's success.

Reflecting on his journey, Neil highlighted the invaluable lessons in project management and problem-solving he gained throughout the process. The experience honed his organizational skills and reinforced the importance of thorough planning and preparation in executing complex tasks.

Looking ahead, Neil expressed a desire to continue his involvement in scouting, albeit acknowledging the logistical challenges posed by his impending college education. Nevertheless, his passion for community service and leadership remains unwavering, indicating a bright future ahead in both scouting and beyond.

Shanmukh and Neil’s journeys offer valuable insights into the transformative power of scouting and the pursuit of the Eagle Scout rank. We are so proud of you both!

Since our previous post about FCS’s wushu stars, Howard Kam has received the remarkable honor of placing second in the qualifying competition, earning him a coveted spot on the USA Junior Wushu team. This achievement not only fulfilled a personal dream but also represented a significant milestone for Howard.

Wushu Wonder 

While Howard has previously competed for the USA as part of the B team in Pan American events, the elusive A team selection had remained just out of reach. So qualifying this year, he says, is the result of years of hard work. He expresses the immense satisfaction of seeing his efforts pay off.

With his selection to the USA Junior Wushu team, Howard now sets his sights on the World Junior Wushu Championship, set to take place in Asia this September. As he prepares to represent his country on the global stage, Howard's focus and determination remain unwavering. His rigorous training regimen and unwavering commitment underscore his readiness to compete at the highest level.

Howard attributes much of his success to his wushu coach, Hannah Gao (mother to Elena Chow, another wushu star at FCS), whose unwavering support and positivity have been a constant source of inspiration. “She always has more energy than all of us,” Howard says, admiring her dedication and ability to motivate her athletes with love and encouragement rather than pressure.

13-Plus-Year Student

Thirteen years is a long time to be part of any community, and for Howard, Fremont Christian School has been much more than just an educational institution. From his first day in preschool, Howard described FCS as a place filled with love and support. “FCS is a family,” he said, emphasizing the strong sense of community and faith that permeates the school. The environment at FCS has been a constant source of encouragement for Howard and his peers.

Reflecting on his 13+ years at FCS, Howard shared some of his favorite memories. He fondly remembers his first-grade teacher, Mr. Lam, who introduced him to the arts through the elementary musical. Another standout memory was his time with Miss Wong, who made him feel special and valued despite his hyperactive nature. “She made me feel like the coolest kid ever,” Howard recalled, highlighting the profound impact of her kindness and attention.

As Howard progressed through middle school and high school, he continued to encounter teachers who inspired him academically and personally. The transition to online learning during COVID-19 was a challenging time, but thanks to the efforts of Mr. Fu, the school’s activities director, students were able to maintain a sense of normalcy and community through virtual events and competitions.

As Howard embarks on this next chapter of his wushu journey, he carries with him the pride and support of his community. Representing Team USA at the World Junior Wushu Championship is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to his years of hard work and determination. We will all be watching in the fall to cheer him on!

As our latest class of seniors prepares to move into the next phase of their lives, Fremont Christian would like to recognize three standout individuals, starting with our valedictorian, Harsha Rajkumar, who will be attending Duke University in the fall. Although Harsha originally planned to be pre-med, he’s now leaning towards a double major of bioengineering and computer science, with a bent towards AI (artificial intelligence).

“But that might change, too,” Harsha says. “There are so many opportunities.” He is particularly interested in the research aspect of science, with which he already has a great deal of experience for someone his age. After transferring to FCS his freshman year, he became a mentee to Edward Njoo, a PhD candidate in chemistry at Stanford University. His first project was on the medicinal properties of certain herbs, which was followed by more internships at the GRIPS (Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford) program, where he researched complex organic chemistry synthesis reactions. Last year, he was a finalist in the Genes in Space competition, which allowed him to travel to Washington, DC, to present his project to a group of astronauts.

Harsha also participated in track and field for most of high school and joined the varsity baseball team (who placed first in their league this year) as a senior, an experience he enjoyed so much that he hopes to join a club at Duke. He credits this surprise love of the sport to Fremont Christian. “It's a small school but has so many opportunities,” he says. “The teachers and students just care for each other so much that you can get involved in any activity.” Even if the activity doesn’t yet exist: Harsha was instrumental in founding both the Medical Research Club and Speech and Debate Club. “That’s another plus for FCS: If you're interested in starting something, it's pretty easy to do.” 

He also feels that the close relationships with the teachers were beneficial in his education. “With small class sizes, I was able to learn a lot more. The conversations I had with teachers and students after class are something that I probably won't forget.” 

One of Harsha’s closest friends is co-salutatorian Stephen Lo. The two hit it off from their first day at FCS, back in freshman year, and not just because they had the exact same class schedule. “He's always smiling and laughing,” Harsha says. “He lights up everyone's mood.”

That’s an important trait to have when you’re the basketball team’s captain and MVP, as Stephen was. “Even though he's academically and sports driven, his personality is something that's gonna take him really far,” Harsha says about his friend.

Like Harsha, Stephen plans to study bioengineering, although he’ll do so at Pasadena’s California Institute of Technology, where he’ll also play for the school’s basketball team.

Stephen attended preschool at FCS but then went through the public school system through middle school. When he tried to enroll in high school, however, he wasn’t able to take the classes he wanted, so he—and his twin brother—transferred back to FCS. “Fremont Christian has a very flexible schedule and they let me take every class that I wanted,” he says. The twins’ younger brother soon followed suit and transferred as well.

In addition to basketball (and taking every AP class that FCS offers), Stephen also participated in choir, an experience that saw the group perform in the FCS rendition of High School Musical, take second place at the Golden State Choral Competition, and even play at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall. He and Harsha also collaborated with the Alameda County Science Fair to form a nonprofit called the More-STEM Initiative, which partners previous fair winners with underprivileged students for virtual mentorships; Stephen and Harsha helped add a face-to-face component to the program. Somewhere in between all that, Stephen found time to act as head chaplain for the student body council and president of the Health and Science Club. 

“I just wanted to share a passion that I had, which was to help in science, and it was so easy,” he says, grinning ear to ear.  “It goes to show that anything you want to pursue [at FCS] you can. They provide the opportunities for you to achieve your full potential.”

Stephen is also very proud of his friend Harsha’s achievements. “FCS isn’t like a lot of other schools, where students don't want to help each other because everyone wants to be the best. Seeing Harsha and I both succeed at the highest level makes me so happy. It’s like a family dynamic at FCS. That's something I want to emphasize because we don't see each other as competitors. We’re all here to support each other and lift each other up to be the best that we can be.”

Co-salutatorian Melody Zhang echoes that sentiment. Melody transferred to FCS from a local public school just under two years ago—and she’s incredibly glad she did. “At FCS, you can actually feel the positive energy in the air. There’s so much school unity,” she says. 

Once she landed at FCS, Melody made fast friends with other students—and even her teachers. FCS’s art teacher, Ms. Yuan, recognized Melody’s talent early on. 
“Over the last two years, I have witnessed tremendous growth in Melody 's leadership, self-management, and teamwork,” Ms. Yuan says. “She is creative and a good leader—and adept at problem-solving.I believe she will be a great artist in the future.” With Ms. Yuan’s encouragement, Melody entered the 2022 Congressional Art Competition, which she won for her district; her entry is currently on display at the White House. 

Melody cites Spirit Week as one of her favorite FCS memories. Due to her aptitude in art, she designed and drew all of the posters for this year’s Homecoming court. She also participated in Mandarin choir and founded the Creative Cards Club, which sends greetings to residents of senior homes. “We write uplifting messages and affirmations to remind them that they're not alone in the world and that there's always someone thinking about them,” she explains. 

After FCS, Melody will be attending the University of Pennsylvania to study graphic design and user experience. “Those are both really useful and a lot of fun,” she says. She hopes to use her degree to work on websites and potentially video games. “It's fun to see how even little changes to the design and the interface can totally enhance the experience,” she explains. 

FCS is incredibly proud of our seniors. We wish you the greatest of success!