student spotlight
By Juliana Colant Photo courtesy of Iris D’Costa
Seize the Day
Student makes the most of every opportunity
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As a student ambassador for her school, D’Costa volunteers time for events such as the St. Francis DeSales High School Open House. 20 January/February 2022
here are only 24 hours in a day, and Iris D’Costa strives to live each one to the fullest. D’Costa, an 18-year-old senior at St. Francis DeSales High School, spreads her time across 10 different clubs and extracurricular activities, including everything from National Honor Society and the Asian and Pacific Islander Student Association to Ski Club and the Evangelization Team. Her inspiration to be an active member within her school and community comes from the famous Latin aphorism, “carpe diem.” “There’s always been this desire in me to do good,” D’Costa says. “I personally know a lot of people that have a lot of potential and I want to live up to my potential. Making the most out of every day is really important to me. … I want to make the most out of every opportunity that I’ve been given.” Volunteering at school and in her community is another way D’Costa seizes the day. At DeSales, she volunteers with the ski club by raising money to support adaptive ski lessons. Through adaptive ski lessons, skiers with disabilities can access the assistance they need to hit the slopes. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, D’Costa frequently baked goods for the Huckleberry House, which provides a safe place and resources for children and teens leaving abusive parents or an abusive household. Now, she regularly donates in-demand items, such as toiletries, to the organization. Outside of school-related organizations, D’Costa volunteers time to the central Ohio chapter of Parents of Murdered Children. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be particularly difficult for parents in the group, and D’Costa makes and sends cards around www.westervillemagazine.com
