Princeton alumni commend 2 USN students
The Princeton Alumni Association recognized Saawan Duvvuri ’26 with its Princeton Prize in Race Relations. Asauda Radford ’25 was also a finalist for the award.
By Juanita I.C. Traughber, Communications Director
The Princeton Alumni Association has honored Saawan Duvvuri ’26 with its Princeton Prize, which supports and encourages young activists committed to improving race relations. The Nashville chapter recognized him and finalist Asauda Radford ’25 during a lunchtime ceremony on Thursday, April 3 in the Downtown Nashville Public Library’s Civil Rights Room.
Saawan is the executive director of LiteratureDiversified, a global, youth-led nonprofit he founded after recognizing the systemic exclusion of minority narratives in American classrooms. He is also coalition chair of the Tennessee Student Equity Leadership Board, a statewide youth advocacy coalition that promotes civic dialogue on racial and social justice issues in Tennessee.
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations recognizes high school students who, through action and service, have demonstrated leadership in advancing racial equity, promoting racial understanding, or eliminating racial bias and prejudice in their schools and communities.
“I hope to inspire change in educational equity by ensuring that every student, regardless of race, gender, or sexuality has access to the support and opportunities that will allow them to grow and thrive," said Saawan, who will receive a $2,500 scholarship with the prize.
“I hope to inspire change in educational equity by ensuring that every student, regardless of race, gender, or sexuality has access to the support and opportunities that will allow them to grow and thrive," said Saawan, who will receive a $2,500 scholarship with the prize.
Saawan and other first-place winners will spend a two-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Princeton University’s campus in New Jersey, where they will attend the Princeton Prize Symposium on Race. They will participate in workshops and conversations that will bring students from local high schools, Princeton students, alumni, and faculty.
"For me, the experience of working to meet the needs of your community is in and of itself a fulfilling act," Asauda said. "But, to be able to look outside of your own bubble and into the lives of others working in race relations is inspiring and encourages me to expand my work and find ways to support them in theirs."
Jadyn Sheats ’22 earned the Princeton Prize in 2022 for spearheading multiple diversity, equity, and inclusion organizations and using her Eighth Grade Change Project to help replace Eurocentric curriculum with lessons that include African American contributions throughout history. The Princeton Alumni Association of Nashville also previously recognized Gabrielle White '23, Morayo Kassim ’22 for her work in restorative justice, Jaran Huggins ’18 for founding a USN club to create a safe space for students to discuss tough topics, and Alex Miller ’15 for creating innovative programming to engage the USN student body.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
-
8th graders recreate anicent Rome
With the help of Middle School Educational Technologist Kari Luecke, students in Latin Teacher Richard Rosenthal's class recreated ancient Rome using USN’s 3D printer.Read More -
Get to know USN’s Shakti Club
The Shakti Club is one of USN’s newest organizations, and its 28 K-12 students have already been making an impact in the school and the greater Nashville community.Read More -
May 9 is USN Night at Parnassus
Stock up on summer reads as a local bookstore shares a percentage of its profits with USN for purchases made between 3 and 6 p.m. Friday, May 9.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.