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Once upon a time, Alma Mater summoned five dedicated students to conglomerate at the Low Steps: Rahul Sharma, Kiran Prasad, Ryan Mandelbaum, A.J. Luzarraga, and Grace Tan. Legend has it that at this meeting, Alma Mater whispered her last words: “Improve the karma of my university, kids. There are many issues which must be addressed, and it is your responsibility to address them. A curse has been set upon me; I am transforming into a bronze statue. In order to break this curse, each of you must win the upcoming Student Council election. Form a party and be victorious, or I shall forever remain a heartless statue.” And then the Karma Party was born.
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Rahul Sharma
Rahul Sharma was born in Tampa, Florida to Indian immigrants who came to the U.S. for the American Dream. Little did his parents know, Rahul too had a dream – to represent his class at Columbia University. For years, he went from shore to shore, eating curry and rice whilst asking humanity one deep question: “will I ever become President of my freshman class at Columbia?” If fate has willed it, Rahul Sharma and his party shall one day . He is reputed to have the strength of Achilles and the eloquence of Odysseus – what else is required by a CC president?
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Kirin Prasad
For the past eight years at an all-girls school in Maryland, Kiran Prasad donned her plaid skirt and fresh white polo before heading off to class each morning. She ate lunch with the same ninety girls, listened to girl drama invade the hallways, and suffered heartbreak when her male teacher turned out to be gay. Desperate for a change, she somehow managed to get into Columbia University (who cares about Yale!). After her horoscope told her to take a chance, as it may lead to a lucky outcome, Kiran was ready to run for Vice President of Student Council and make sure that the class of 2013 had the best year ever.
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A.J. Luzarraga
On October 6th 1990, a child was born, as were many other children I’m sure, but this particular child was named Alberto Javier Luzárraga. Known as A.J. by his peers, he has given 110% of his entire life to become the something resembling a man he is today, a pseudo man running for Columbia College class representative. Hailing for Short Hills, NJ, he has always been one for whom when the going got tough, going was done by him…When the chips were down, he was not afraid to pick up the chips. However, you may not have heard, but there is in fact no “I” in team. With a cast of supporting characters that is indeed a force to be reckoned with, an empowered Karma Party will truly get Columbia running on all cylinders.
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Ryan Mandelbaum
Ryan Franklyn Mandelbaum was born on Long Island, NY and has dealt with adversity his whole life. Starting with his inability to grow as tall as his fellow classmates, he had to deal with a really tall bunk bed, an average school experience, a dog that he was allergic to, a really plain suburban life, and a minor case of lactose intolerance. Working twice as hard to overcome these challenges, however, Ryan was able to rise above and beyond, crushing all competition to become the most ordinary Columbia student ever. In high school, Ryan won “Most Likely to Make a Good Freshman Class Rep at Columbia” for Senior Superlatives, so you know he’s good for the job.
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Grace Tan
Grace Tan is from sunny southern California and is frightened by the prospect of winter snow. Coming from a town that is 40% Asian, she is enjoying her first experience of being a minority in New York City. She likes listening to bands no one else knows, unless, of course, you shop at Urban Outfitters. She also loves student council, and was the Commissioner of Art for her high school. She is also Buddhist, and she knows exactly how karma works.
Rahul Sharma was born in Tampa, Florida to Indian immigrants who came to the U.S. for the American Dream. Little did his parents know, Rahul too had a dream – to represent his class at Columbia University. For years, he went from shore to shore, eating curry and rice whilst asking humanity one deep question: “will I ever become President of my freshman class at Columbia?” If fate has willed it, Rahul Sharma and his party shall one day . He is reputed to have the strength of Achilles and the eloquence of Odysseus – what else is required by a CC president?
For the past eight years at an all-girls school in Maryland, Kiran Prasad donned her plaid skirt and fresh white polo before heading off to class each morning. She ate lunch with the same ninety girls, listened to girl drama invade the hallways, and suffered heartbreak when her male teacher turned out to be gay. Desperate for a change, she somehow managed to get into Columbia University (who cares about Yale!). After her horoscope told her to take a chance, as it may lead to a lucky outcome, Kiran was ready to run for Vice President of Student Council and make sure that the class of 2013 had the best year ever.
On October 6th 1990, a child was born, as were many other children I’m sure, but this particular child was named Alberto Javier Luzárraga. Known as A.J. by his peers, he has given 110% of his entire life to become the something resembling a man he is today, a pseudo man running for Columbia College class representative. Hailing for Short Hills, NJ, he has always been one for whom when the going got tough, going was done by him…When the chips were down, he was not afraid to pick up the chips. However, you may not have heard, but there is in fact no “I” in team. With a cast of supporting characters that is indeed a force to be reckoned with, an empowered Karma Party will truly get Columbia running on all cylinders.
Ryan Franklyn Mandelbaum was born on Long Island, NY and has dealt with adversity his whole life. Starting with his inability to grow as tall as his fellow classmates, he had to deal with a really tall bunk bed, an average school experience, a dog that he was allergic to, a really plain suburban life, and a minor case of lactose intolerance. Working twice as hard to overcome these challenges, however, Ryan was able to rise above and beyond, crushing all competition to become the most ordinary Columbia student ever. In high school, Ryan won “Most Likely to Make a Good Freshman Class Rep at Columbia” for Senior Superlatives, so you know he’s good for the job.
Grace Tan is from sunny southern California and is frightened by the prospect of winter snow. Coming from a town that is 40% Asian, she is enjoying her first experience of being a minority in New York City. She likes listening to bands no one else knows, unless, of course, you shop at Urban Outfitters. She also loves student council, and was the Commissioner of Art for her high school. She is also Buddhist, and she knows exactly how karma works.
