Karina Koppikar is passionate about working with students of all backgrounds and bringing communities together. Whether teaching families in need about proper nutrition through her nonprofit My Tasty Table, virtually tutoring Ukrainian refugees, or working to improve mental health through books as a Loving Library ambassador, Karina believes in the healing power of empathy and community. 

Karina’s desire to improve the community around her started her first year in high school. She helped found My Tasty Table, a nonprofit dedicated to battling food insecurity among children and families in Arizona. Since then, Karina and her co -founders have taught cooking classes at homeless shelters, Title 1 schools, and community centers. The lessons focus on healthy meals using affordable ingredients

“I have always had a passion for community service, but I wanted to take it a step further,” she said.

Fast forward a few years to when the high school junior noticed growing tension among students as a result of differing religions. Karina took action and founded her school’s Interfaith Alliance. The group fosters respectful and productive discourse around the topic of religion. She is also a professional actress and published novelist with a passion for storytelling. Her book, “Six-Point Star,” aims to show that religions are more similar than they are different, and she hopes to inspire other young people to write about their own passions. 

Karina is president of her school’s award-winning Mock Trial team, serves as secretary and president-elect of her high school theatre program, and she volunteers as a camp counselor at the local youth theatre to help younger kids fall in love with performing. Karina dreams of attending Law School to ultimately help reform the foster care system.

“The most important factor behind my success is only pursuing projects I’m truly passionate about,” Karina said. “Even when balancing them seems overwhelming, it is easier to overcome obstacles when I feel passionate about the work that I’m doing. Seeing the end result of a passion project is always incredibly rewarding.”