Simi Valley : Girl, 17, Receives Supervisor’s Award

A Simi Valley High School graduate who says she “has been blessed with the drive to keep going” is the first recipient of the Vicky Howard Community Service Award.

Archana Maniar, 17, will receive the $500 college scholarship established earlier this year by Howard, a Ventura County supervisor, to honor young people from the 4th District who are active in their community.

Maniar, who will attend UCLA in the fall, said she is particularly pleased that the award was established by a woman. She also received scholarships from the American Assn. of University Women and the Simi Valley Women’s Club.

“You take extra pride in something like that,” Maniar said. “There’s so many women supporting you out there, it’s kind of amazing.”

Maniar was honored because she devoted a lot of time during high school to community activities, while still maintaining a high grade-point average.

Maniar’s average was seventh highest among this year’s 641 graduates. She served two years on the Youth Council of the Simi Valley City Council and volunteered for a year at a local hospital.

Maniar, who plans to become a doctor, said pursuing various interests comes naturally to her. “I like politics. I like everything, basically.”

Maniar, an only child, said she inherited her drive from her parents, Harshad and Bakula Maniar, who moved to the United States from India more than 20 years ago.

Her parents come from a very competitive educational system in India, and her mother was from a large family, which also inspired competitiveness, she said.

But, Maniar said, most of the pressure on her to succeed comes from herself, not her parents. “I think whatever you put into your life is what you’ll get out of it.”