Citius, Altius, Fortius

By: Ria Paradkar - Torch bearer at 2018 Winter Olympic torch relay

Citius, Altius, Fortius: Even before joining YCA and learning about the Olympic movement, I knew in my heart that this was a city of champions. The city of Colorado Springs is a perfect unison of plains, the majestic Pikes Peak, and the national forests that surround it on all sides – the result is a beautiful region where the song “America the Beautiful” was born. Even the sun cannot resist the temptation to shine over it at least 300 days each year. The city manifests the name Colorado, which means the Color Red, as it bathes in the early morning sun rays bouncing off from the red rocks of the distinctive Garden of the Gods. Beyond the natural amenities, the city is studded with gems of enduring institutions like the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Training Center and the US Air Force Academy. This is the city that exudes the Olympic spirit in its truest sense, to be faster, higher and stronger by continually daring to see new dreams and working together to make those dreams a reality.

The Origin of an Olympic Journey

My YCA journey began one evening when at the dinner table my mom told me about an email about some program called YCA. Thankfully, despite my lack of total attention, my mom continued reading the email that described the program. With every passing sentence, my eyes grew wider and wider. I knew right away that I wanted to be part of this program so I could contribute to creating a vision for the city I had come to love.

Through YCA, I made some amazing friends from all around city, and collectively we embarked on a journey to understand what the Olympic spirit is, why the US Olympics chose this place as their home, and how after so many decades the Olympic movement has become such an integral piece of our community that we have become Olympic City USA. I had the opportunity to meet with city leaders and developers and see what they had in store. I could see the Olympic spirit resonating from my fellow citizens whether it was people racing up the intimidating steps of the Manitou Incline or training alongside Olympic athletes. I saw before me a city filled with ambition and determination.

One of my favorite YCA events was the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame groundbreaking ceremony. It was such an honor to be present during this historic moment. I met a number of community leaders and witnessed how the Olympic spirit brings people together and drives them to achieve great things. To now see the museum standing tall is a stark difference to the barren plot that was once there and inspires me to be bold and ambitious. YCA showed me that anyone, including me, can make a change. I will forever be grateful to YCA for letting me be a part of the collective re-imagination process for the future of Colorado Springs.

Our final task as ambassadors of the city was to create a unique vision for a smart and sustainable city. Inspired and energized, a bold plan transpired in my mind.  I presented my plans to the mayor and other community leaders and to my absolute astonishment, I was named the 2017 Young Champion Ambassador. Not only did this give me the opportunity to visit the birthplace of the Olympic movement, but I would also have the chance to represent my country and Olympic City USA as a torchbearer.

Carring within me the spirit of the Olympics

Participating in the torch relay was an honor like no other. The Olympics had always been iconic – a universal symbol for peace, excellence, and a celebration of diversity. I couldn’t believe that I, a high school student from the other side of the world, could be a representative for something so sacred. My fellow torchbearers came from all over the world. Some were Olympic athletes and others community leaders. Despite our individual backgrounds, cultures, countries, and languages, we were all unified by the Olympic ideals of solidarity and mutual advancement. As I ran with the torch in my hand and the flame burning bright, I had become a part of a community that is constantly striving to make the world a better place.

Since the conclusion of my incredible YCA journey, I have now moved away from Colorado Springs and across the country to attend college in upstate New York. Although, I am physically away from Colorado Springs, I will always carry within me the spirit of the Olympics that enables me to bring out the best in myself and others.

About - Ria Paradkar

Ria graduated from Discovery Canyon Campus High School in 2018 as the valedictorian of her class, a National AP Scholar, and with a perfect ACT score. Her curiosity for science and medicine led her to become Vice President of HOSA Future Health Professionals and a research intern in labs at both Colorado College and the US Air Force Academy. She was a member of National Honor Society and US Mensa.

Ria’s interest in medicine and health is mirrored by her passion for physical activity. She has learned the Indian classical dance form, Bharatnatyam, since she was five years old and competed her Arangetram (graduation). She was also MVP on her school’s varsity tennis team and a junior black belt in karate.

Ria’s dedication to her community was shown through her time volunteering in the Labor and Delivery department at Memorial Hospital as well as her role as President of the Red Cross Club at her school. She was awarded the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her community service. Through YCA she connected with the Colorado Springs Sustainability Office to explore and implement sustainable initiatives for SmartCOS.

As a result of her academic and extracurricular accomplishments, Ria was selected as one of the Gazette’s Best and Brightest 2018 and received the Rensselaer Medal and Scholarship.

Ria’s family now lives in Massachusetts and she attends Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate New York. There she studies biology and psychology as a part of the accelerated Physician Scientist Program. Ria’s passions for science and dance still plays a huge role in her life. She is President of the competitive Bollywood fusion dance team at her University and works as a student researcher at one of Harvard Medical School’s teaching hospitals.

She will start at Albany Medical College in Fall 2021 where she aspires to become a surgeon. Ria remains undaunted by the prospect of medical school. “I cannot wait to delve into this world of sleepless nights and difficult decisions because deep within my heart is engraved the desire to not only discover the human body, but to serve as a compassionate healer," she said.

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