Support Meena's Continued Education at Interlochen

My name is Meena Karimi, cellist from Afghanistan, and last year you all supported me to get to Interlochen Arts Academy, and now...
It is my pleasure to share with you that I have completed my first academic year at Interlochen Arts Academy, High Honors with Distinction! It was a tremendous first year with exciting and remarkable experiences -- all because of your generous help!

 

I am fundraising for my tuition and other school-related expenses for my next two academic years at Interlochen.  Because I did well in school, I continue to receive a generous scholarship for my tuition, but I need your help and support to pay the rest of my tuition and other school-related expenses until I graduate in 2024.

 

Here are the ways you can donate to my education:

1. On this GoFundMe page! Just like last time!

2. Go to my website (www.meenakarimi.com) and contact me directly for alternative, tax-deductible ways to support my education.

 

I will share my fundraising outreach as much as I can and I would appreciate it if you could also share it with your friends and community. Thank you for making so much of this possible through your continued help and support!

 

Coming to the United States after being in Afghanistan when it collapsed was a difficult transition, but I persisted in remaining strong, settling into my new school, and writing the next chapter of my life. I worked hard and received straight A’s in all of my subjects, honor roll in both semesters, as well as an academic award at the end of the year as a result.

 

Interlochen Arts Academy has been an incredible place that I knew would help me to develop as a strong and well-rounded musician – but also a place where I would learn to grow as a strong woman. With the experiences that I had at Interlochen in the last 9 months, I would have never had the opportunity to learn in Afghanistan. It truly makes a difference to go to school without fear of war and to study in a safe and peaceful environment.

 

I'm looking forward to my next school year at Interlochen Arts Academy. I'm thrilled to have been chosen as a Global & Cultural Perspective Officer for the Student Representative Board for the 2022-2023 school year. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend Interlochen and for the support of so many, including you!

 

Here are a few highlights from my first year at IAA:

From left to right it's Me, Ella, Jane, and Hadassah

This year, I enjoyed being a part of a large orchestra and performing pieces such as Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. For the first time, I was blown away by the power of brass instruments and how they fill out orchestras. We also performed different types of music, such as a jazz-inspired Violin Concerto by Billy Childs. It was thrilling to be introduced to a new genre of music with difficult and fast notes.

 

I was honored to perform at the festival at the end of the school year with my piano trio and as a cello soloist with the choir. Being a part of diverse musical groups and taking masterclasses all helped me develop my musical skills while also providing me with the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

 

English was my favorite academic subject this semester. We read an interesting book called “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson. Reading this book allowed our class to discuss the American social justice system and history. It also gave me the opportunity to reflect on Afghanistan's social justice system.

 

This semester, I was also required to do two hours of community service at the cafeteria every week, which I enjoyed because it is important to learn the value of working around you and how each person makes a difference in our lives.

 

In addition to various activities on campus, such as being a member of the Asian affinity group, I am pleased to announce that I recently participated in the VII Foundation's exhibition "Imagine: Reflections on Peace" at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, D.C. I have shared my interview video below.

 

I'm excited to announce that I'll be attending Rocky Ridge Summer Camp in Colorado this summer. Three things I am looking forward to are building friendships with musicians, my first experience being in a summer camp, and spending a month in Colorado's beautiful mountains, which I hope will remind me of the beautiful mountains of Afghanistan.

Thank you for everything and for making this all possible for me! This has been the greatest year for my musical and academic improvement and I am looking forward to next year.

Best wishes, Meena