Rithika Sivapokaran

As a Sri Lankan-American, Rithika is proud to be the first from both sides of her family to receive an American education. Her diverse school community has immense ‘PM Pride’ as homecoming, athletics, academic excellence and service to others show up throughout maintaining an engaged community.

Rithika loves Marvel movies and traveling and is also interested in studying computer science and chemistry. She is passionate about helping young women feel empowered in their endeavors, especially those wanting to enter male-dominated fields as well as equity in education and mental health awareness. Throughout high school, Rithika has been heavily involved in various clubs and leadership positions — she has been president of her class for the last three years and was instrumental in working with the school guidance department to promote mental health awareness through the newly founded “emPowering Minds” club. As the club president, she helps educate students and staff on the importance of self-care, mental health issues and other social-emotional learning topics. Rithika is, “thrilled to be a 2023 Bezos Scholar, meeting the rest of the cohort and learning new ways I can help my community!”