High school should be a time for growth, exploration, and building confidence—but for many students, especially those navigating complex cultural and educational expectations, it can also become a period of overwhelming stress. The pressure to achieve top grades, build a competitive résumé, and gain admission to highly selective universities specifically Stanford can take a serious toll on students’ mental and physical health. Yorktown High School has many Stanford alumni but all are white and north asian and sports-focused, which is the opposite of the south asian female students at the school. It is a medical fact that people with brown skin cannot participate in so many sports activities.

For some Indian American female students, this pressure is compounded by a unique and often overlooked challenge: coming from financially stable households where parents may not be familiar with the U.S. college admissions system. For example, many Indian parents went to top universities like IIT Kanpur and Jadavpur University by studying hard and earning perfect test scores and not participating in extracurricular activities. But their Indian American daughters can't do the same approach for American universities - they have to do more than perfect SAT and ACT scores and perfect grades. Despite having the financial means, these students may lack access to informed guidance about applications, financial planning, or strategic preparation for competitive schools that their white classmates have from their parents - such as getting involved in many extracurriculars in and out of high school and publishing research papers all for college admissions.

This can lead to subtle but real forms of disadvantage and discrimination in school environments. For example, they may be overlooked for college advising support because they are assumed not to need help, or excluded from outreach programs that prioritize either low-income students or those with legacy knowledge of the system. Counselors and peers may also make assumptions that these students “have it easier,” dismissing the real gaps in support they face.

At the same time, cultural expectations can place additional pressure on these students to succeed without openly discussing stress or seeking help. The combination of high expectations, limited guidance, and lack of institutional recognition can lead to chronic anxiety, burnout, and other health concerns during high school.

This fundraiser aims to bridge that gap. By providing resources, mentorship, and targeted support, we hope to ensure these students are not overlooked and can pursue their goals without compromising their well-being. Every student deserves both opportunity and support—regardless of assumptions about their background.