Three TSD Students Win Governor's Service Awards

Three Troy School District Students Are Governor's Service Award Winners

Last night Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Community Service Commission recognized 46 individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations as recipients of the 2022 Governor's Service Awards and applauded their commitment to volunteerism, service or philanthropy. Three of those awardees are Troy School District students, who were celebrated at the 2022 Governor's Service Awards ceremony on Nov. 17, 7 p.m. at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.

“Michigan succeeds because of Michiganders who go above and beyond to serve their communities and lift up others,” said Governor Whitmer. “This year’s winners get things done even when nobody's looking because they know that every contribution makes a huge impact. I am honored to present the Governor’s Service Awards to this year’s 46 recipients and urge every Michigander to get involved in their community so we can move our state forward together.”

The three Troy students are:

Civic Engagement Impact Award: Krish Ghosalkar (2023, Troy High School, Troy)

Krish Ghosalkar began his involvement with the nonprofit Key2Finesse at the age of 10 through his sister who co-founded it in 2015. Krish officially joined the organization in 2018 and embraced the mission - to provide platforms for students to demonstrate their writing and public speaking skills, while giving back to noble causes in their community. In 2020, Key2Finesse tackled organ donations and supported the Gift of Life Foundation. While serving on the board, Krish streamlined the fundraising efforts online to aid the contribution of $75,198 to the Gift of Life Foundation in 2020 and $116,100 to Angels of Hope in 2021. In the last two years, Krish has helped to expand Key2Finesse’s efforts much beyond fundraising. Recognizing the need for students to learn from others, Krish helped to organize high school and career exploration symposiums over Zoom. These symposiums invited successful high schoolers, college students, and professionals to share their journeys and advice to motivated students. Krish also recognized the educational gap that was created in students’ learning during online schooling, and the shortage of internship opportunities. This led him to develop a virtual tutoring program and an internship event. Due to these efforts, he has brought out the best in his team and it resulted in Key2Finesse expanding to 10 states and five countries as they help to provide the tools needed for students to succeed.

Community Impact Award and MI Heroes Award: Ava Julianna Garza Bunao (2025, Athens High School, Troy)

Ava Julianna Garza Bunao is an impressive young philanthropist and sophomore at Troy Athens High School. As a student, she is a top scholar of her class and a talented musician. She is someone who exudes joy, generosity, and kindness. Ava has a long history of using her time and talents to improve the lives of others. She serves in the emergency shelter, supported and celebrated veterans, helped with writing letters to pen pal residents at nursing homes, supported Girl Scout troops, provided her hair for Wigs for Kids program, conducted friendly visits at nursing homes, provided needed items for Humane Society, maintained a community garden, wrapped donated Christmas gifts for kids, educating the community about recycling, assisted with providing STEM projects, delivered food to people in need, and much more. One of the programs she provided leadership to was supporting the school food pantry. When she recognized there were not options for people with food allergies, she took it upon herself to develop a fundraising program called Macarons for Morse. She baked and sold macarons and used the proceeds from her impressive baking skills to buy specialty foods for people with special dietary needs. Ava’s ingenuity has been used to get chain stores like Kroger and Aldi on board with her mission of making specialty/gluten free foods more accessible. Her work has led to dozens of macarons deliveries and in turn made an immediate relief for those with severe food allergies. Ava dedicated her time during the summer volunteering with Fundamental Therapies, tutoring young students with learning and reading challenges, and serving as FIRST crew during the GIRLS R GRAYT. Ava received the Silver Award in Girl Scouting, which is the highest award for her Girl Scout level, received the 2022 Tammie Murray spirit award, was selected as an MHSPEA scholar, and won a state championship as a part of the Troy Athens Winterguard. Ava is an inspiration to her peers and has become a genuinely impactful person that is making a tremendous difference.

Environmental Impact Award: Akshitha Sahu (2023, IAE, Troy)

Akshitha Sahu found her love creativity for the environment inside the walls of International Academy East High School. Akshitha created the EcoBricks project, which uses hard to recycle plastics to transform into useable bricks. Her environmental club was able to work with local sponsors to create a bench from the items collected from the project. In that same club, Akshitha started an annual Earth Day convention and Go Green talk show. Both initiatives have had a prominent impact on her community and were recognized for their professionalism and thoroughness. Her ventures did not stop at school, she has both a poetry workshop and summer camp where her heart and bright mind have impacted younger children. Akshitha has dedicated hours to the Parks and Recreation Board of Troy, the Troy Historic Village, and the Stage Nature Center. “As a volunteer, Akshitha has shown outstanding commitment, leadership, attention to detail, and a can-do attitude towards anything unexpected that comes her way.”

Troy Schools Superintendent Dr. Rich Machesky expressed his pride in these students for their leadership and philanthropy: “We could not be prouder of these three students. They exemplify the spirit of our OneTroy community as they demonstrate examples of deep learning extending beyond our classrooms and impacting the health, welfare, and sustainable future of our community. Kris, Ava, and Akshitha are shining examples of the power of public education.”

“We are proud to recognize this remarkable group of Michiganders who are an inspiration when it comes to helping others,” said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes. “Their service has strengthened communities and made our state more resilient.”

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Photos courtesy of Troy Schools