The Rising Star Youth Award

Aarav Jain lives by a simple belief: every place you enter should be a little better because you were there. To him, community is not just about being part of a group-it is about creating spaces where people feel valued, supported, and included. During his time at Rutgers University-Camden, Aarav has consistently recognized opportunities to bring people together and turned those ideas into reality. Seeing the need for a space where students could connect through a shared passion, he founded the Rutgers University-Camden Cricket Club (RUCCC) from the ground up, creating a fun and welcoming environment where students could build friendships through the sport. As a leader in SAATH (South Asian Appreciation for Tradition & Heritage), Aarav has worked to celebrate South Asian culture while making campus more inclusive. Beyond campus, he helped lead a successful student petition in Voorhees advocating for Diwali to be recognized as an official school day off, allowing students to honor their traditions without having to choose between their education and cultural commitments.

Aarav's dedication to service extends beyond Rutgers. Through years of mentoring and tutoring, he has helped younger students develop skills in English, Java, debate, and public speaking. His passion for youth development began when he saw a lack of opportunities for young cricket players in the community and created SJCA, now NJ Royals, providing kids with not only a place to play but also a place to learn confidence, teamwork, and leadership. Whether he is volunteering, advocating for students, coaching on the field, or building bridges across cultures, Aarav leads with empathy and purpose. His impact is not defined by titles or recognition-it is defined by the people and communities he has helped strengthen