03/06/2026
At the ISAK Impact Awards, three special awards were presented this year, in addition to our three main category winners.
Their projects show what impact looks like up close: on the Silk Road, in Nepal, and right here on campus.
The Community's Choice Award went to Yasu for "What 12,000 km Taught Me About the World." Yasu left his job and cycled the entire Silk Road from Beijing to Rome. What began as personal curiosity became something larger, a journey of connection through moments of generosity of strangers. His message: the world is not as distant as it seems. This entry was selected by votes from students, alumni, parents, faculty, and staff throughout April.
The Jury's Choice Award went to Annie for "I See Life: Silence Does Not Mean Absence." Inspired by her grandfather's hearing loss, Annie built a bridge between deaf and hearing communities through exchange trips, and weekly sign language sessions, bringing visibility to a community that too often goes unnoticed. This was the entry that moved the jury most.
The Viral Star Award went to Tsering for "Women Empowerment Project in Nepal." Growing up visiting remote Himalayan villages, Tsering witnessed the lack of menstrual health education and resources available to women and girls. She launched a project in Gorkha that reached over 1,500 women across 15 villages, delivering workshops and reusable sanitary kits, breaking stigma and building lasting change. This was the submission that traveled furthest beyond our campus across ISAK official social media platforms.
A big congratulations to all three!
UWC
