The Faculty of Arts and Science

100 St. George Street (Room 1006)

Toronto, Ontario
M58 3G3

Dear Ms. Mallon,

Thank you very much for considering me for the Robin L. Scholarship. I have always strived to do my
best in my academics while continuing to take part in various clubs and activities in university and in the
general community. In order to aid your selection process, here is a list of extra-curricular activities that I
have participated in during my third year of university:

I was (and still am) a year-round volunteer at the Hospital for Sick Children. My responsibilities include
visiting patients in their rooms and in the playroom and providing physical and emotional relief through
games, activities, and conversation. I try to ease the hospital experience for the children by making it a
fun and safe environment for them.

I continue to be part of fusion inter-university dance team called ‘Phoenix’ that I joined during my first
year. We dance multiple genres including hip-hop, reggae, and bollywood. We dance for multiple on- and
off-campus events as well as representing our university in an inter-university dance competition called
‘Aattam’ that takes place during the summer.

Last year I also ran to be an Executive member of the Tamil Students’ Association Board of Directors.
Specifically, I was elected as the Cultural Coordinator and we planned events for the student body to
promote and preserve the Tamil culture. One of our events to honour the harvest festival – called ‘Thai
Pongal’ – was awarded “Event of the Year” by the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU).
Along with many other social, cultural, and academic events, we also hosted a charity boat cruise that
rose of $6,000 for South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC) – a charity organization based in
Toronto.

I am also part of internationally renowned ethnic music group called Bharradhi Arts. We are based in
Scarborough, Ontario and we perform at various promotional events, banquets, and charity shows. We
recently organized and performed a 48-hour non-stop charity show called “Help for Love” in efforts to
raise funds for Markham Stouffville Hospital and its ongoing expansion project. We raised over $56,000
for the cause.

I also divide my time volunteering at two temples – the Richmond Hill Hindu Temple and the Sri Vidya
Temple Society (in Rochester, New York). My usual contributions are assisting with religious
ceremonies, mowing and maintaining the outside property, serving food to patrons, washing dishes, and
cleaning up after temples’ closure.

During the summer of my third year I also worked as an undergraduate research student at a Neuroscience
lab in the Department of Physiology at U of T. My placement was partly funded by the Undergraduate
Research Opportunities (UROP) award that I had been granted in light of my academic achievements.

I hope this list of my extra-curricular actives gives you a better sense of my non-academic involvement
and achievements. And thank you again for considering me for this scholarship.

Sincerely,

Nishanth Lakshman