Quick look: Cypress High School senior Parsmi Rajput and teacher Shelley Hawkins have been named 2025 Bezos Scholars, joining a cohort of just 17 student-educator teams worldwide. Their Community Change Project will focus on creating a resource hub to connect students and families with critical services.
The Bezos Scholars Program selects just 17 student-educator teams worldwide each year. Among the 2025 cohort are Cypress High School’s Parsmi Rajput and her educator partner, Shelley Hawkins. But their journey almost did not happen.
Parsmi learned about the program only days before the deadline and nearly did not apply. With Hawkins’ encouragement, she submitted her application and together they earned a place in this year’s leadership program.
Launched in 2005 by the Bezos Family Foundation, the Scholars Program is a yearlong initiative that pairs high school juniors with educators to create projects addressing community needs. The experience begins with a week at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, where participants meet global thought leaders, attend workshops and connect with peers. The program continues with leadership training, mentoring and $1,000 in seed funding to support student-led projects.
Since its founding, the Bezos Scholars Program has supported more than 200 community change projects worldwide. Participants also receive personalized college advising and access to a global alumni network.
A vision for Cypress
This summer, Parsmi and Cypress High teacher Hawkins joined the Aspen gathering, describing it as a transformative week of learning and collaboration. The high school student said she is eager to bring what she has learned back to her school.
“I am coming home with more than memories,” Parsmi said. “Aspen showed me that growth replenishes rather than depletes. It redefined how I see myself and the kind of change I want to create.”
Back home, they are designing their community change project, which aims to establish a resource hub at Cypress High School. The space would connect students and families to services such as food pantries, transportation, academic supplies and mental health support.
“While Cypress is often perceived as an advantaged community, many of our peers face hidden challenges like food insecurity, unstable housing or lack of internet access,” Parsmi said. “Our goal is to bridge gaps and partner with organizations that can meet immediate needs.”
Their long-term vision is to help Cypress evolve into a community school, creating a more sustainable structure of resources and support.
Leadership in action
Parsmi’s leadership experience includes serving on the Anaheim Union High School District’s Community Schools Steering Committee and participating in the Orange County Youth Council, a student leadership group supported by the Orange County Department of Education’s Friday Night Live Partnership. Through the council, she has co-led workshops on fentanyl awareness and safe screen use to promote healthy choices among youth.
“For me, it has always been about turning personal passions into collective action,” she said. “Even in these early stages, we have learned how to listen deeply, identify root issues and design solutions with intention.”
Hawkins, a National Board Certified Teacher and Friday Night Live advisor, recently earned recognition with her FNL chapter at Cypress High, which received a Chapter Excellence Award at the Friday Night Live Partnership ceremony in May. The educator said she has also seen Parsmi evolve into a confident leader.
“When I first met her, she was quiet and reserved, but over time I’ve had the privilege of watching her step into her voice and her power,” Hawkins said. “The quiet observant girl is turning into a strong influential woman.”
“My hope for Parsmi moving forward is that she continues to trust her voice and her ability to lead others. She has shown that she can move from listening and learning to guiding and inspiring — and I know she will continue to have an impact at Cypress High and beyond.”
With their project still in development, Parsmi and Hawkins say they are focused on listening, learning and building partnerships that will lay the groundwork for lasting impact at Cypress High. For more information about the program, visit Bezos Scholar’s webpage.