When I was younger, I was an antisocial. I found it hard to make friends, especially with my peers. In gatherings and parties I was always at the adults table listening to serious conversations and I couldn't connect with those who were my age. Because of that, when I went to middle school, I struggled with teamwork and group projects and those were at the core of my middle school. By the end of 8th grade, I realised how terribly I had treated my teammates and classmates and how important it is for me to change my approach.

A year or two later, in the International German Olympiad, during the closing ceremony, they were announcing the medals for the olympiad. After that, they announced that there was a prize called the "Fairness Prize" and over the course of the two weeks that we were there and we were competing, the juries had observed our behaviour and conduct not just in the olympiad tasks, but also in the social events and other activities. They had decided to give the prize to someone who had shown kindness and compassion and has been friendly and social and has helped others despite the competition in place. When they announced my name I was so surprised, I just couldn't believe a prize like that was being awarded to the previously antisocial (and honestly pain-in-the-ass) Anahita.

That was such a defining moment for me. It was like a message from above saying: Anahita, this is who you are. This is who you should be. You should help others, you should connect people to each other and you're a team person. Ever since, I have tried my best to empower other people and help them grow and I hope I have been able to do it properly.