The pandemic forced a lot of programs for young people in Southern California to cancel, or close, for the summer.
So, our KNX Hero of the Week decided to create one, instead.
"The way I got this idea... as you know, we were all stuck at home. I didn't have much to do, and I was thinking about what I did in summers [before]."
Arjun Bhatnagar is a typical 15 year-old teenager from Orange County. He says before the summer of 2020, he often participated in building workshops, where he would craft items like birdhouses and toys.
"Everything you can imagine!" says Arjun. "And, it was really fun! And, I thought [about] all the kids in my community who are not able to get this great opportunity."
So, Arjun constructed his own building workshop, to get other young people out of the house.
"We held a small summer camp with four students," explains Arjun. "We provided the tools. We provided masks when they were needed, hand sanitizer, wipes, as well as goggles. And, they each started building!"
Arjun footed the bill himself. He also recruited a couple of classmates to help mentor the students during the workshop, which focused on STEM skills.
"We taught them things like potential energy, kinetic energy, and gravity," says Arjun. "I found it important to teach them this, because we are progressing more towards STEM in the world, and these kind of skills really help them."
Once again, Arjun is only 15.
Arjun BhatnagarKNX 1070 News Handout
His mom, Lara, who is a doctor, says Arjun is mature beyond his years. "He's well-liked by his peers, he can get everybody together," says Lara. "When he talks, people listen. It doesn't matter the scale of things, or the people he interacts with. Everyone comes away feeling good, when they talk to him."
"I just thought this would be something fun to do over summer," says Arjun.
In a year where having fun has been hard to come by, Woodbridge High School sophomore Arjun Bhatnagar has gone above and beyond to bring some joy to other kids.
He's our KNX Hero of the week!
KNX Heroes is brought to you by California Resources Corporation, saluting our military veterans, and all of our heroes!
If you know someone who is inspirational, motivational, life-changing or life-saving, nominate them as a future KNX hero at https://knxnews.radio.com/nominate
You can also send an email directly to the host of KNX Hero of the Week - Heather Jordan - to heroes@KNX1070.com
