Stellar Virtual Student Receives State Recognition

Stellar Virtual student Arjun Sharda was recently recognized by the Texas State Board of Education.

Meet the next “Steve Jobs of AI technology.”

At least, that’s how soon-to-be eighth-grader Arjun Sharda would like people to think of him.

Arjun, a student at Texas Virtual Schools, was recently recognized by the Texas State Board of Education with the 2024 Student Hero Award. He was recognized for founding the TLEEM (Technology, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, and Mathematics) club, which is open to students worldwide.

The club name was inspired by the Arabic word, taelim, which means education, Arjun said.

Arjun’s mission is to help other talented secondary schoolers pursue a professional career at a young age. Arjun’s efforts have made a global impact, with nine chapters in five countries promoting education and empowerment.

While clubs have always been a part of school, Arjun said, they have never focused on networking to achieve future goals.

“I wanted to revolutionize the way clubs work,” he said. “Networking is very important to success, and I wanted to incorporate that.”

Though Arjun started the club while enrolled in a traditional brick-and-mortar school, he had a bigger vision for the club. He also experienced bullying, being called “nerdy” because of his TLEEM ambitions.

“One thing I noticed is that (Texas Virtual Schools) has the most flexibility (of any online program),” he said. “I am able to pursue coursework and also advance. I can take high school level in middle school.”

He added that he’s even amazed himself that he’s kept excellent grades while being able to expand his club.

Many adults would undoubtedly be jealous of his ability to figure out work-life balance at a young age.

Virtual school has helped him achieve his expansion goals because the club isn’t confined to one area. His next goal is to expand the group to include professionals.

“I want to change the world, be remembered for something,” Arjun said.

We think he’s off to a pretty great start.

Texas Virtual Schools is a public virtual school that serves students in grades K-12 across Texas. The first day of school for the 2024–25 school year is Aug. 13.

Texas Virtual Schools is a program of Stellar Virtual.

Learn more about Stellar Virtual at stellarvirtual.org.