Inspirational role model. Overcame OCD to become activist for the disease.
Boundless performer.  Piano expert, dance aficionado, and debate superstar.
Absolute braniac.  Clark Scholar and IB standout.

Meet Nikita Desai.

A high school senior from the state of California, Nikita epitomizes the all-around high school student through her outstanding achievements in community service, academics, and other achievements, and the Discus Awards is proud to recognize Nikita for her excellence in and outside the classroom.

Nikita is the winner of the April 2011 Discus Awards Scholarship, a scholarship for high school students presented to one select Discus Award winner every month of the academic year. From among thousands of Discus Award winners and accomplishments in 10 attribute categories, a panel of judges has chosen Nikita as the recipient of the $2,000 college scholarship.

The Discus Awards, a high school recognition and scholarship program honoring students who excel in and out of the classroom, looks beyond grades, test scores, and win-loss records and recognizes students for their multi-dimensional talents and passions.

Nikita has demonstrated her tremendous will and selflessness through her struggle with OCD and now her committed activism for victims of the disease, and the Discus Awards is proud to shine the spotlight on her.

		Community Service
		“After overcoming a severe case of OCD, I founded the support group OCD Kids Sacramento as a source of guidance and hope for kids and teens with OCD. I was able to find an OCD expert to serve as a source of knowledge for our group, and over the past three years, we have guided dozens of sufferers on the road to recovery.” Nikita conquered the challenge that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder presents, and she has become an important voice for others who battle with the illness every day. She was able to share her triumph against this difficult disorder at the 2009 and 2010 International OCD Foundation Conferences in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. In addition, Nikita has helped fundraise for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

		Academics
		“I was selected as a Clark Scholar, one of 12 students in the nation selected to participate in a paid research internship at Texas Tech University in the field of my choice. I conducted biology research in the lab of Dr. James A. Carr, Ph.D. and was selected as a 2011 Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalist.” More than her 2340 SAT score and her 800 (Math II), 800 (Spanish), and 790 (Chemistry) subject tests, Nikita is in her school's International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and will graduate this spring with a full IB diploma. Along the way she was awarded the Harvard Book Prize, which is given to the top junior at her school, and was named a National Merit Semifinalist.

		Other Achievements
		“I am the President of the Mira Loma High School Science Olympiad Team, and have been a team member for the past three years. Our team has won 1st in the state and 9th in the nation, and I have individually placed 1st in the state and 3rd nationally.” A true leader, Nikita is the Senior Leader of the Arcade Creek Project Water Chemistry Division. She is a National Forensic League Excellence Degree Recipient, and was the Policy Debate Sacramento Valley League Champion. She also is quite the performer after 10 years of formal Indian classical dance training in Bharatanatyam and 12 years of piano playing. In addition to her upcoming IB diploma, she received a diploma in dance after a two and a half hour solo dance.

Learn more about Nikita and other Discus Awards winners