Photo by David Trozzo

On some days you’ll see Indu Bodala presenting at a leadership conference, on other days, she’ll be assembling care packages for the needy, raking leaves at a local park, removing invasive weeds at a nearby farm, or volunteering at a summer camp. Indu, currently enrolled in the Biomedical Allied Health Magnet Program at Glen Burnie High School, is what many would call a passionate leader and dedicated volunteer. 

“From the moment that I met Indu, as a freshman during the peak of the pandemic, I immediately knew that she would be that ‘once in a lifetime student’ who would take the school by storm, shake things up, and leave the school better than when she came,” said Glen Burnie science teacher and Student Government Association (SGA) Advisor Delise Brown. “Indu immediately hit the ground running in her 9th grade year becoming one of the most active members of the SGA at Glen Burnie High School. Indu became the chairperson for the school’s mental health committee where she planned events and developed support systems for students who struggled with being at home and learning remotely before we even realized how serious of an issue it would have become.” 

In her sophomore year, Indu went on to become the vice president of SGA, playing a key role in planning and organizing numerous events including cultural-diversity days, spirit week events, pep rallies, and more. Indu simultaneously served as Vice President of the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils for Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS). In this position, she has actively been involved in educational reform within the county. She is also a member of the Principal’s Advisory where she serves as one of 10 students who meet with the principal on a monthly basis. 

If that’s not enough, Indu also serves as the student commissioner for the Joint Commission on the Opportunity Gap, is on the Mental Health Teen Advisory for the Board of Education, Teen Advisory for the Superintendent, the Youth Feminist Task Force Maryland, and is currently one of four representatives from her school on the county’s Student Service Learning Leadership Team. Most recently, Indu was presented with the 2023 Maryland Young Women Leaders Award by the Maryland Commission for Women.

“Indu is passionate about student advocacy, service to others, and promoting equity and inclusion in our school community as well as within AACPS,” said Lori Fowler, nominator and AACPS Manager of Service Learning and Mentorships. 

Even with her busy school schedule Indu finds the time to volunteer with local nonprofits such as Kid Changemakers, BKind, SPAN, Orphan Grain Train, and Hope for All, working at summer camps, helping with clothes drives, assembling care packages, and writing grant applications. 

“Indu’s contributions will leave a lasting impression on her peers, teachers, and her community,” said Lori. “She stands apart from her peers as a student leader working to create a better world for students and the residents of Anne Arundel County.”

Indu was nominated by Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

The Young Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to an individual student or youth group (elementary through college) who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and/or leadership.