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Shipley's Srijan Velamuri is Main Line Student of the Week by Bruce Adams Main Line Times, March 28, 2022

Every creature has its place in the world and how we need
to take action to stop climate change now before it is too late.

A junior at The Shipley School, Srijan Velamuri is active in the school's Environmental Sustainability Committee, and circulated a petition to save endangered salmon in the Pacific Northwest. He returned to Shipley for his junior year after spending part of his freshman year and all of his sophomore year in Toronto. Velamuri is currently taking six courses, holds a 5.18 GPA, is a Math Peer Tutor and is a member of Shipley Singers and Glee Club.

Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about your activities with the Environmental Sustainability Committee. What sparked your interest in joining this group?

Srijan Velamuri: As a fan of Sir David Attenborough's nature documentaries, I have learned how every creature has its place in the world and how we need to take action to stop climate change now before it is too late.

This year in the club, I have made presentations at assemblies and helped run the Instagram channel. I have led the process to install a new recycling program at Shipley, in partnership with BIC, so that common items like pens, mechanical pencils, and markers don't have to be thrown into the trash. I'm also working on instituting a service opportunity so that students can rake leaves in the fall, rather than the school hiring greenhouse gas-emitting leaf blowers.

Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about the origin and specific purpose of the petition to save endangered salmon in the Pacific Northwest, and the feedback you've received so far regarding the petition.

Srijan Velamuri: After watching a PBS documentary called "Salmon: Running the Gauntlet," I was inspired to start a petition on Change.org this past October.

Four aging dams along the Lower Snake River in Washington State are responsible for the loss of 30 percent of each year's salmon run by blocking migrating salmon. This has caused 14 salmon species to go extinct, and other species that depend on them, including orcas, bears, and birds, have become endangered.

If we keep losing salmon, we'll not only damage the ecosystem, but U.S. taxpayers will also have to pay billions of dollars to Canada and Native American tribes as compensation. My goal is to raise awareness on this issue so that the government demolishes these dams and replaces them with other renewable, salmon-friendly energy sources.

So far, I have received more than 800 signatures by reaching out to friends and family, using social media, posting flyers at Shipley, and speaking at a school assembly. I intend to continue to spread the word so that my petition can make a difference. The link to the petition is www.change.org/demolish-dams-save-salmon.

Main Line Media News: What is the most interesting thing you learned about Toronto while you were there?

Srijan Velamuri: I was especially impressed by the amount of diversity in Toronto, and how everyone is comfortable asking and sharing about their culture, which made it an inclusive and easygoing community.

Main Line Media News: What was your most memorable experience in Toronto?

Srijan Velamuri: My most memorable experience was winning the Toronto Brain Bee and placing third at the Canadian National Brain Bee, as I enjoyed the chance to explore my passion for neuroscience in-depth. It was also amazing to see how the competition details and study materials were available for free online, which provided equal access to all students, regardless of their background.

Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about your role as a member of Glee Club and Shipley Singers. What is your favorite performance song with Glee Club and Shipley Singers, and why?

Srijan Velamuri: I am working to recruit more students for next year, I've created a spreadsheet where students can easily give song suggestions, and I am collaborating with my choir director to have the club perform in upcoming school assemblies and local competitions to gain a wider audience. My favorite song was definitely "Son de Camaguey," a Cuban folk song in Spanish, which was upbeat, catchy, fun to perform, and involved accompaniments like shakers to set up the beat.

Main Line Media News: You've been working with the members of Shipley's Chess Club. Tell us a little about what you're sharing with them.

Srijan Velamuri: Since I have been playing chess competitively for five years, I have tried to help the less-experienced players in the club to improve. I spend the first 10 minutes of every club meeting sharing tactics and strategies, and I created a website that provides specific tips for players of different levels. It's been very rewarding to see them engaged in the lessons and eager to apply the concepts they learn in their own games in the club.

Main Line Media News: What is your favorite course at Shipley, and why?

Srijan Velamuri: I especially enjoy Chemistry II Honors with Mr. Goren, since he always maintains a positive attitude, even during the pandemic, that lightens up the entire class. His fun and interactive demonstrations introduce the units effectively, and he is eager to answer all questions, including when I approached him to explain a topic to prepare for the AP Chemistry exam.

Main Line Media News: What is your favorite book, and why? Who is your favorite author and why?

Srijan Velamuri: My favorite series is the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, especially the first book (Eragon), since it starts off at a fast pace and is filled with action, suspense, and mystery.

I enjoy fantasy for the chance to escape into another world where anything, including magic and levitation, is possible. Although it is marketed as a young adult book, there are many important themes and bits of wisdom laced throughout, which is impressive considering that the author wrote it when he was in his late teens. I also love studying the map of Alagaesia in the book and reading the glossary of words from the book's made-up languages.