ANIKAIT SOTA

Hometown: Mountain Lakes

Internship Placement: Office of Assemblywoman Shama Haider, 37th Legislative District

Anikait is a rising junior at Mountain Lakes High School. He has always been interested in public policy, especially within economics, and hopes to learn about plausible careers in the field. He is part of various community involvements such as the Economic Development Committee of Parsippany as well as the founder of the charity Parsippany Cube Club (parsippanycubeclub.org). He is involved with various school activities such as being part of the varsity track team where he has set various freshman and sophomore records. Additionally, he is the vice president of Deca and a competitor where he won the Hotel and Lodging state event and qualified for nationals.

He is passionate about reading and loves to read books. He is looking forward to learning more about policy this summer and hopes to pursue a career in public service. 

MANIKA NIWAS

Hometown: Plainsboro

Internship Placement: Office of Assemblywoman Tennille R. McCoy, 14th Legislative District

Manika is a rising senior at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South. At school, she is President of Journalism Club and Mock Trial Club, and is also heavily involved in her school’s debate team. As Managing Editor for her school newspaper she has written articles highlighting the sexism in the music industry and breaking down stereotypes against South Asians in mainstream television. She is also a proud member of her school swim team. In her free time Manika enjoys reading, dancing, and spending time with her family and friends. She is classically trained in Kathak and is a choreographer for her school’s South Asian American Student Association. 

In college Manika hopes to major in a combination of Economics and Public Policy in order to pursue a career in government and law. She is excited to be a fellow for NJ Lead to gain experience and build connections in this field! 

ANVI NALLAPALLY

Hometown: Montgomery

Internship Placement: Office of Assemblyman Al Barlas, 40th Legislative District

Anvi Nallapally currently attends Montgomery High School in New Jersey as a rising Junior. She takes a tremendous interest in sports, specifically soccer and track. Anvi played for the State New Jersey Olympic Development Program and won the state cup for her club soccer team. Academically, her interests lie in the STEM field as she currently is a part of the Science Olympiad team. Anvi has also worked with the local Republican Party as social media and digital media volunteer, working behind the scenes for promoting the party. She assisted party chairwoman in digital media and content creation, including filming a video series, developed social media graphics to promote grassroots canvassing events and fundraisers, and devised digital content strategy alongside campaign manager and candidates.

Anvi’s interests also include listening to music, playing sports, reading, and spending time with her friends.

MUSTAFA SIDDIQUI

Hometown: South Brunswick

Internship Placement: Office of County Executive Dan Benson, Mercer County

Mustafa is currently a rising senior at Noor-Ul-Iman School. He holds leadership roles in his school's Mock Trial and Model UN teams. He has also had experience working under both Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer and Assemblyman Roy Freiman. Mustafa is currently also involved in research at the University of Pennsylvania focusing on Middle Eastern Studies and International Relations.

Mustafa has had a passion for both international relations and law and hopes to someday become a lawyer. In his free time, Mustafa loves to workout or play golf with his friends.

AKSHAYA HARI

Hometown: Piscataway

Internship Placement: Office of Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley, 18th Legislative District

Akshaya Hari is a rising senior at Rutgers Preparatory School. In her school, Akshaya holds various leadership positions as 1/2 elected Judiciary Board Officers in her grade, Mock Trial President, Co-Captain of Ethics Bowl, Ambassador of Business Club, and President of FBLA. Akshaya has also worked with CCL, Citizen’s Climate Lobby, as a lobbying volunteer. Outside of school, she is a classic dancer, dance teacher, and pianist. Akshaya has a strong passion for law and political science, as well as finance, and hopes to pursue a career within business law. 

Through this program, Akshaya hopes to develop her public speaking and networking skills, as well as further receive the opportunity to explore her interest in politics and law. 

VARNIKA SIRIGINEEDI

Hometown: Edison

Internship Placement: Offices of Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn and Gerry Scharfenberger, 13th Legislative District

Varnika Sirigineedi is a rising senior at Edison High School who is committed to civic engagement. She currently serves as the President of Congressman Frank Pallone Jr.'s Youth Advisory Council, completing two terms on this committee. Varnika has gained valuable insights into local governance through her internship with Mayor Sam Joshi, shadowing Judge Dipti Dedhia, and volunteering for several local political campaigns. She also volunteers with the Middlesex County Juvenile Council Committee, helping address juvenile offenses to prevent youth delinquency, as well as several local political campaigns.

At Edison High School, Varnika is the Vice President of the Student Council and founder of the Legal Eagles Club for Law and Social Justice. She is a Features Editor for the school newspaper, a member of the varsity girls' lacrosse team, and a violinist in the chamber orchestra.

Looking ahead, Varnika aims to pursue a career in political science and law. She hopes to leverage the knowledge gained from this program to educate and empower her peers through her social justice club, advocating more effectively for her community.

AMULYA KOLLIPARA

Hometown: Bernards

Internship Placement:

Amulya Kollipara is a rising junior at Ridge High School, with a motivation and keen interest in pursuing public policy and law. As a vital member of the Ridge Forensics Team, Amulya is very passionate about vocalizing topics that have widespread impacts on society and she is proud to be 3rd in the state! Alongside speech and debate, she enjoys the role of student director for Ridge Drama Club and Trilogy Repertory, as theater is a catalyst to bring community together and inform society of important issues. Amulya also serves as the co-founder and president of the badminton team at her school, bringing together girls of all grades to partake in the sport. As the secretary of the student government, Amulya was able to raise $4,000 due to her fundraising ideas and successful marketing, providing financial aid to her class’ future events and endeavors. During her free time, Amulya enjoys photography, ceramics, and sushi dinners with her friends. She loves being involved in the community in order to foster change, and hopes she can continue this effort through the NJLP fellowship program!

ANNIKA RAJ

Hometown: Holmdel

Internship Placement: Office of Senator Vin Gopal, 11th Legislative Disctrict

Annika Raj is a rising junior at Biotechnology High School in Freehold. In addition to her focus on science and technology, Annika harbors a deep love for civics, government, and advocacy, seeking to bridge the gap between public policy and STEM. As president of her Student Government Association and Junior State of America Chapter, she is passionate about enacting real change in her community through civic means. Annika’s passion and dedication to her community are evident in her various roles, including her involvement with the YMCA New Jersey Youth and Government Program as a State Officer, Youth in Policy as an Effective Discourse Partnerships Intern, and Vote16NJ as an Engagement Team Member. Beyond her academic and civic pursuits, she has a keen passion for the performing arts. She has been learning Bharatnatyam dance for ten years, has completed her Arangetram, and is currently learning Bollywood and Bhangra. She also acts in three theater groups and aspires to pursue a career that combines public policy with corporate law. 

Through the NJLP fellowship, Annika hopes to gain a profound understanding of legislative and political processes at the local level to help mitigate inequities, particularly in STEM education. She is committed to using her diverse skills and experiences to advocate for policies that ensure equal access to STEM opportunities for all students, fostering a more inclusive and innovative future.