Profile: Aneri’s Dream Is To Work At The New York Times

Aneri Pattani is one girl in Cheshire who makes education interesting and fun. She has helped elementary school students in science clubs and tutors first graders for four hours a week in reading. She said she’s seen as kind of nerdy, but that didn’t stop her from loving to help students gain better study habits. “It’s best to have patience in volunteering,” she said. Besides volunteering, Aneri has also joined clubs throughout her years at Cheshire High School.

Profile: Music Is Magic To M’Lik

While many teenagers play the trumpet in band, few can say they know how to play native African drums like M’lik Mims.

As a member of an after-school African Drum Club, M’lik played the dundun and djembe from fifth to eighth grade.  He also had the opportunity to perform with the club at a Yale University commencement ceremony. “I liked the drum club because if I was angry one day, I could just go play my music and my anger would disappear,” M’lik said.  “It was like magic.”

M’lik, 15, lives in New Haven.  He will enter tenth grade at Amistad High School this fall.