ANN INC., the parent company behind Ann Taylor and LOFT, recently named University High School junior Roshni Bag one of 50 ANNpower Fellows nationwide. Bag, a Carmel resident, was the only Indiana student selected for the leadership program this year.
As an ANNpower Fellow, Bag will attend a three-day women’s leadership forum in Washington, D.C. next month.
“Being surrounded by girls from all over the country who have similar interests and mindsets will be really cool,” said Bag about the June forum. “Sometimes we’re limited because we see and interact with the same people every day. Hearing new ideas and discovering a new way of thinking will be neat.”
Bag was selected for the program thanks to her volunteer work and experience conducting research at the IU School of Medicine. Outside of school, Bag volunteers regularly at St. Vincent hospitals and serves on the board of directors for Reach for Youth, a nonprofit organization whose Teen Court program offers second chances to non-violent youth offenders.
“Academics are my primary focus,” said Bag. “My parents really stressed the importance of academics while raising me, but they also taught me the importance of being well-rounded. Outside of school, I spend a lot of my time volunteering.”
A hopeful future surgeon, Bag is the only fellow with a stated interest in medicine. She credits both her love of science and her valuable research opportunities to her decision to attend University High School.
“I transferred to University High School as a sophomore,” said Bag. “Coming to University was such an amazing experience because I really liked the community feel. I had always been interested in math and science, but taking chemistry at University changed how much I like science. Mrs. Slocum (the teacher) became a mentor to me and allowed me to find research opportunities. My research experience helped me become an ANNpower Fellow.”
