Whiz Kid: Marquette Junior Receives Excellence in Science Award

Ravali Gummi, a junior, has received the Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Science. She was one of 36 St. Louis-area high school juniors honored.

"Ravali is an amazing student. She is highly respected by her peers and her teachers," said Val Mertz, her biology teacher. "She is a contributor, participating to the fullest extent in every class. It has been a joy having her in class." Mertz nominated Ravali for the award.

Last summer, Ravali participated in a student research program at Saint Louis University.

"Each student was assigned a mentor and we spent six weeks doing biology research,” Ravali said. “Ms. Mertz recognized my interest in science and nominated me for the award. My parents were very surprised. This is the first formal award I’ve received.”

Ravali excels in both math and science. She has participated in debate since she was a freshman. While academics keep her busy, she still finds time to dance. For more than 10 years, Ravali has taken lessons in Kuchipudi, an Indian form of dance. Dancers perform using fast, rhythmic footwork and expressive facial and body movements. 

“I will be traveling to India with my family this summer to perform Kuchipudi for a charity. The dancers will be raising money for handicapped children in India,” Ravali said. 

Although she's not sure where she will attend college, she hopes to study some branch of science. “I am particularly interested in science because it applies to the real world.”

Ravali is the daughter of Chandra and Jyothi Gummi. Her brother, Rohit, is a senior at Marquette.