RESHMIKA RAMESH

Reshmika Ramesh is no stranger to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. In the summer of 2014 Ramesh began her Reagan education journey in the Student Leadership Program. It was then that she began a charity project known as Friends for Patients, which helped to provide local not-for-profit hospitals with personalized care packages for patients including young children and adolescents. After having the opportunity to further launch her leadership skills, Ramesh returned to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in the summer of 2016 as a Student Leadership Program Ambassador. As an ambassador, she was able to exercise and refine her leadership skills unto her fellow peers through guidance in the development of their own Leadership Action Plan, as she had done with Friends for Patients. In the latter half of 2016, she was a student volunteer at the Young Women’s Leadership Summit, today known as the Reagan Leadership Summit. In pursuit of higher education, she participated in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Scholars Program in 2017, and became a scholarship recipient.

Additionally, Ramesh has accomplished a plethora of achievements outside of the Reagan Library. In August 2016, she gave a Tedx Talk on the topic of Motivation, held in Simi Valley, California. Her passion and desire to speak publicly began in the eighth grade where she was invited to give a commencement speech for her culminating class. Since then, she has seeked out several public speaking opportunities, some of which included speech competitions that she has placed in, both first and runner-up. Given her confident spirit and graceful manner, Ramesh has also served as Miss Teen Moorpark Princess, which allotted her further experience in public presentation and speaking. She actively participates in her community through service and volunteer work, whether it’s putting in hours at a local food pantry, volunteering at schools or in Kiwanis Club, this young leader is eager to make an impact in the lives of others. 

She supports her passion for helping people by pursuing a medical degree at California Northstate University in the College of Health Sciences. Ramesh is currently enrolled in a 6 year BS-MD combined program, which is designed for the most motivated and goal-oriented students. She is currently finishing up her undergraduate studies and will soon venture into the next phase of her education. She upholds the title of Student Body President of her university and aims to maintain this position. Ramesh has also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award and has been named Youth of the Year.

INTERVIEW WITH RESHMIKA RAMESH

What are you doing to grow as a leader?

Growth in leadership is something that everyone has the potential to pursue on a daily basis. Whether it be simply taking the time to listen to someone that has a different perspective than you, or saying yes to something that you have never done before, you are actively working towards becoming a better leader. I feel as if though many people often think that leadership is about being someone greater than everyone else, but that isn’t the case. Being a great leader is being able to understand everyone you lead, and consistently working on being the best version of yourself.

How do you approach challenges?

Challenges are part of everyone’s journey. In fact, I find that when you don’t face challenges regularly, you are missing out on an opportunity to grow yourself. Leaders who inspire me, set high goals for themselves that are challenging and beyond their comfort zone, and I believe this is how they have become the strong leaders they are today. Challenges are daunting for many, but the way one faces challenges is what sets leaders apart. Choosing to remain optimistic and putting your all into everything you pursue, is what overcoming those challenges is all about.

What would you say to someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

I would say that a journey like mine is not easy, but hopefully it is worthwhile. Do your best at everything you do. Be a positive energy for yourself and those around you. Never lose sight of your goals, no matter how challenging or frustrating obstacles may be. 

What is the difference between living and existing?

Living is about doing things that put a smile on your face or even doing things that scare you. One thing I’ve been working on is becoming more mindful. I think that working on mindfulness and being present in every moment that you live is the key difference between living and existing.

Previous Reagan NextGen Honorees