Parth Shah

Wayzata High School

Age 17

Parth Shah is currently a junior at Wayzata He has been active in his school and community for several years. Before saying to much more, we thought it would be appropriate to share with you the nomination form written by Grace McClure, SVF Director of Programs, that won Parth the "Be The Change" Award by Hands On Twin Cities.

Parth Shah is the most successful entrepreneur I know his age.  His heart is founded in service, and his efforts prove it.  We are so inspired by Parth.

Recently, while at Kiva.org, Parth had been pondering as to how to integrate the idea of microfinance into high schools; the answer was Kiva High School. Kiva High School is a US national network of high school students unified by a belief that microfinance (the giving of small capital, on average $25) is an effective tool for poverty alleviation, and that, through Kiva.org, high school students can be an active part of this solution.  Parth has been working with multiple businesses, schools, and nonprofits like SVF to develop Kiva High School and get it started in Minnesota high schools.

Parth has worked with Kiva.org since a young age.  It is the world’s first peer-to-peer platform in microfinance, in efforts to alleviate poverty. His initial project included entrepreneurial statistical data collection and analysis. Parth has also have been instrumental on Kiva’s fundraising team, and provided sound perspectives that were critical in securing the organization’s largest donor, Halloran Philanthropies. Did we mention that this kid is only a junior in high school?!

Through MASC, Parth helps provide high schools and middle level schools, advisors, and students with an opportunity to participate in leadership activities to better themselves and their student councils.  This semester he and the Executive Committee helped establish a theme of “Encourage Service” for student councils across the entire state of Minnesota.  Through SVF, Parth will help discuss about, design, and distribute “impact” flyers that contain 100s of ways for students to serve this semester. He will continue to personally get out in the community with his student council and volunteer.

Parth attended the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) of the NYLC, where he learned the values of building trust, bonding, and facing challenges together with others who are of different race, personality, and gender. This experience was, as he says, “…invaluable to myself and had shown me the importance of leadership and initiative in my life.”  After the training was completed, he applied and was chosen to represent NYLC on their Youth Advisory Board.  Parth says: “While that was a great honor alone, I dove further into the organization when I was chosen to be a part of the organization’s board of directors recently.”  Through his organization Kiva High School and student council, Parth is trying to promote service-learning in his high school and others in Minnesota.

We here at SVF have worked very closely with high school student leaders and have never seen a student so serious about service at such a young age.  Parth’s dedication to alleviating poverty through microfinance, service-learning, and volunteerism is obvious.  He is inspired to use his skills and to not be looked down on for his age—and that is inspiring to us.

 

Spotlight On Leadership Award: Q & A with Parth Shah

SVF: Why do you believe it’s important to volunteer?

PARTH: The Act of Volunteerism is what completes me as an individual. The opportunity that lies at your feet of assisting those that need it desperately is priceless. Volunteering brings forward a mutual benefit for both parties involved. When I volunteer I discover something new about the world around me and myself. 

SVF: What’s your favorite activity and why?

PARTH: Kiva High School would have to be the activity on top of my list in part due to the fact that I am the “co-owner” of the idea and have the responsibility of making it the way I envision it to be.

SVF: What is something you’re really proud of that you’ve accomplished in the last two years?

PARTH: In the past two years I have been quite proud of the Vice-President position and responsibilities I hold as I am representative of the student councils around the state of Minnesota.

SVF: Who has most inspired you to give your time and gifts back to your community?

PARTH: My cousin, Premal Shah, has had a tremendous amount of impact on my life to make me the person I am today. His motivation to strive for the best and create the best scenario possible has really helped me to be successful in today’s world.

 

SVF: What do you hope to be doing in 5-10 years?

PARTH: In 5-10 years I hope to be in college pursuing something that intrigues me and also have the opportunity to travel around the globe.

 

SVF: And, most importantly, Would you rather: 

A) Have the ability to make anyone bust out in dance at any time, or,

B) Have the batman theme song play automatically anytime you walk in a room?

                               
PARTH: A