Profiles in Education

Candace Braun

Name: Anjali Bhatt
School: The Lawrenceville School
Year: Junior
Activities: Drama, yearbook, math club, South Asian Club, The Lawrence (school newspaper)
Most Memorable Book: Interpreter of Melodies, by Jhumpa Lahiri
Person You Admire: "My advisor, Martha Richmond. She's committed to all of her students, but particularly those with academic disabilities... She really knows how to see things from different perspectives."

Some individuals can take a lifetime to discover what they're passionate about. But for Anjali Bhatt, it came at a very young age.

A Princeton resident, Anjali, or Andie, as her friends call her, was one of 40 students selected to attend a four-day conference at Mount Holyoke College in October. "Take the Lead" brings together a select group of female high school students from around the country who want to affect a change in the world. Andie, 15, was nominated by her former biology teacher, Jennifer Mayr, because of her interest in students with neurological disorders.

"At that point I had no idea what I wanted to do," said Andie, noting that the ultimate goal of the conference is to have the students develop a plan for an "action project."

Among the projects explored by girls at the conference were writing a book on vegetarianism, creating a television station for teenagers, creating sports opportunities for underprivileged children, and a mission to provide school supplies for children in third world countries.

"It was fun to hear from really motivated students. It made me more motivated for my own project," she said, adding that the girls helped each other brainstorm and work through obstacles.

Held for juniors across the country and in Canada, the conference was much more structured than Andie had anticipated. She was handed a binder of information upon arrival, and she and the other students attended workshops on publicity, funding, distribution, and how to get others involved in their projects throughout the four days.

"I didn't realize it would be that complicated," said Andie.

After exploring various options, she decided she would create a short documentary spotlighting the struggles and successes of autistic children, her goal being to promote awareness among teenagers.

"I'm a big science person," said Andie, adding that she has a strong interest in neuroscience and how it affects social behavior, which is partly why she first took an interest in the subject.

The other reason was her mother, Swati Bhatt, who volunteers with the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community, and works locally to promote autism awareness.

"She just started mentioning it a lot," said Andie, adding that the subject aroused her interest. She also began noticing news pieces on child disorders, and seeing autistic children in public.

"I've been in a grocery store and seen a mother with her child....He starts screaming and no one knows what to do," she said, adding that she feels her documentary will shed some light on the subject and help people empathize more with those with neurological differences. "I think it's important to realize that you can't just sit there and stare. There has to be something we can do."

Understanding is the key, said Andie: "Through this documentary I'm trying to show real autistic individuals and how your first impression of them isn't always right. People think they're sick and they're not....It's just a difference in our genetic structure."

Continuing her involvement in the subject, Andie will use neuroscience for her independent study project next semester.

Getting The Project Underway

With the project still in its early stages, Andie has begun to research autism and converse with film experts, parents of autistic children, and fellow students who would like to get involved. In addition she is seeking out organizations interested in funding her project. She will be using Lawrenceville's computer labs and film equipment to create her film.

Andie believes that one of the most difficult parts of her project will be trying to convince parents to allow her to videotape their autistic children.

"That's still my biggest obstacle," she said.

Once completed, Andie said she is planning to distribute the documentary throughout New Jersey, primarily to middle school and high school students, as well as public libraries and community centers.

"I'm trying to gear the video toward teenagers because....when you're in high school, you're still growing, and you're able to learn new things and take action," she said, adding that while her intention is to inform, she hopes some students go beyond that and volunteer to help with autistic students or with an autism awareness organization.

Hoping to start filming in April, she intends to have the project finished by the end of next year.

"Even if it's not perfect....it's better to get something out there," she said. "I just want people to be aware of [autism] and if they go beyond that, that's great."