Hi, I’m India.

I am a Media Studies and English major at Scripps College. I'm passionate about community activism and filmmaking. I am the founder of Student Action Council, which educates and empowers high school students to speak at local school board meetings on issues of diversity and inclusion. Student Action Council trains students to engage in social justice issues affecting their community. You can read more here: www.studentactioncouncil.com.

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Here are some of the extracirriculars I'm involved in . . .

Secretary of Class, ASB (9, 10, 11, 12)
Serve as secretary for the student body for my class each year, and as a general member of ASB which includes planning events, increasing student inclusion and engagement at school, and running the social media account.

School Representative, Newport Mesa School Board (11, 12)
I am our school’s student board member which involves attending meetings, participating in decision-making, speaking on behalf of our school, and encouraging student engagement in the school board.

President, Film Club (10, 11, 12)
As president I have helped shape the vision of the film club and recruited new members, doubling our membership, as well as helping to plan a student film involving members.

Founder/President, Student Action Council (11, 12)
We empower students at my school and across the US to speak to their local school boards to ensure education in regards to ethnic studies, sex education, historical oppression and LGBT rights remain free of censorship.

Ethnic Studies Curriculum Development Committee, NMUSD (11)
I am one of two student members of my school district’s committee to develop and implement an ethnic studies curriculum for students in our district.

Varsity Dance Team Member (9, 10, 11), Choreographer (11, 12), Captain (12)
I dance and choreograph routines for rallies, football games, “Dancing with the Teachers, and three shows each year.

Actor, CMHS Theater Productions (9, 10, 11, 12)
I participate in our school theatrical productions, acting in plays and musicals in both ensemble and lead roles.

Mentee, NewFilmmakers LA (11, 12)
I participated in a year-long Student Mentorship Program for high school students. We have opportunities to visit film sets and learn about directing, cinematography, lighting, producing, and sound mixing.

Digital Filmmaking Pre-College Program, UCLA (11)
I was a scholarship recipient in a credit-bearing summer program with UCLA’s Tv & Film program.

Online Screenwriting Workshop, NYU (11)
I was a scholarship recipient to study screenwriting with NYU’s Tisch school.

The Moth StoryLab Mentorship (12)
I participated in a Moth StoryLab education program and StorySlam for high school students.

Work Experience

Intern, Intercollege Feminist Studies Center at The Claremont Colleges | September 2025 to present
Support research, programming, and campus initiatives that highlight feminist scholarship and student advocacy across the consortium.

Board Member, The Moth Youth Advisory Council | June 2025 to present
Advise on youth programming, provide feedback on storytelling events, and help shape outreach that connects young storytellers with live and digital platforms.

Intern, Action Academy via Common Power Future | Summer 2025
Completed a paid civic leadership internship centered on voting rights and community engagement through research, organizing, and policy-focused projects.

Intern, Environmental Justice Organizing Academy | Summer 2024
Completed a paid summer internship with training in community organizing and hands-on work supporting policy efforts related to environmental health.

Cashier, Paper Source | September 2022 to May 2025
Provided customer service, processed transactions, and supported store operations at a stationery and gift retailer.

Cashier, OC Fair | Summer 2023, 2022, 2021
Handled customer transactions at multiple food vendors during the annual Orange County Fair.

Volunteer Experience

Lead Organizer, CMHS Voter Drive (11, 12)

I run a quarterly voting drive at my school in partnership with Resilience OC.

Volunteer, Newport Beach Film Festival (10, 11, 12)

I served as a volunteer for the Newport Beach Film Festival, helping in a variety of ways including taking tickets, setting up for events, and providing event support.

Volunteer, Olive Crest (10)
During my winter break I volunteered with Olive Crest, a non-profit that places at-risk children into foster families through DCFS.

Creative Resume

Filmmaking
Director/Writer/Cinematographer: Escaping Shadows (2023)
Cinematographer: Non-Stop Focus (2023), UCLA Summer Film Institute
Screenwriter: It’s In the Cards (2023), NYU High School Screenwriters Workshop
Director/Writer/Cinematographer: Commercial for Mesa Water District (2022)
Director/Writer/Cinematographer: Commercial for OC Department of Health (2021)
Director/Writer/Cinematographer: PSA for Directing Change (2024)
Director/Writer/Cinematographer: Commercial for iVaccinate.org (2024)
Screenwriter: Object at Best (2023)
Director/Writer/Cinematographer: The Tortoise (2022)

Choreography
Dancing with the Teachers, Costa Mesa High School (2023, 2024, 2025)
Homecoming Halftime Show, Costa Mesa High School (2022, 2023, 2024)
Various dance showcase pieces (2021-2024)

Acting

Acting: Costa Mesa HS: Elf the Musical (Jovie), The Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster), The Bully Plays (Claire), Radium Girls (Katherine Wiley), Almost Maine (Character), The Addams Family (Ensemble), The Tempest (Character); South Coast Repertory: Snow White (Sneezy), Alice Through the Looking Glass (Alice); Braver Players: Spring Awakening (Ensemble).

Awards

Student of the Year, English (11th grade)

Student of the Semester, History (11th grade)

Newport Mesa Art Showcase, photography and mixed media ((10th and 11th grades)

Elks Lodge Civic Engagement Grant Recipient for Student Action Council (11th grade)

AP Scholar of Distinction (11th grade)

First Place Winner, Video Contest: OC Department of Health (10th grade)

First Place Winner, Video Contest: Mesa Water District (10th and 11th grades)

Student of the Year, Associate Student Government (11th grade)

Selected Participant, The Moth High School StorySlam (12th grade)

Honorable Mention, Video Contest: Directing Change (11th grade)

Winner: Dancing With the Teachers (9th grade)