$75,000 Donated to FCPS / LCPS Schools – Asha-Jyothi’s Commitment
During the 2017 Academy Awards, when “Moonlight” actor Mahershala Ali and “La La Land” songwriter Justin Paul took the stage, they both paused to thank their teachers. They are not alone. Many of the world’s most accomplished people dedicate their success to their teachers. President Barack Obama remembered his...
During the 2017 Academy Awards, when “Moonlight” actor Mahershala Ali and “La La Land” songwriter Justin Paul took the stage, they both paused to thank their teachers. They are not alone. Many of the world’s most accomplished people dedicate their success to their teachers. President Barack Obama remembered his fifth-grade teacher for opening his eyes to the joy of discovery. Astronaut Mike Massimino thanked his English teacher for showing him the sky was the limit. And “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda thanked his favorite high school teacher for nurturing his creative spark.
No matter the field—arts, science, sports, or public service—each story carries the same truth: great teachers see potential long before the world does.
That same belief in the transformative power of education filled the room at Asha-Jyothi’s 6th Annual Check Ceremony on October 16th, 2025, at Deer Park Elementary School. Vinny Thota & Roshni Puli emceed and hosted esteemed faculty and volunteers to both celebrate our 2025 feat of $75,000 raised at the 17th inaugural Asha-Jyothi 5K and thank all the efforts of our incredible volunteers. The entire $75,000 was donated back to local schools in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS).
This year’s Check Ceremony reminds us that while access to education is vital, empowering educators is equally transformative. By giving teachers the recognition and resources they deserve, we invest in curiosity, creativity, and courage — the very qualities that shape tomorrow’s leaders. We’d like to share a special thank you to the passionate educators we met. And like the world’s most celebrated figures who never forget those who sparked their potential, Asha-Jyothi remains committed to helping today’s teachers inspire the next generation. After all, every great achievement begins with someone who believed you could.
This tremendous donation back to schools is possible thanks to Asha-Jyothi’s privately funded Educate-Innovate initiative. Built on our core mission to serve the underprivileged through education and healthcare, Educate-Innovate focuses on high-quality education and innovation by empowering teachers and students to Dream Big! It’s also about creating a bridge between young innovators to the areas of highest unmet need.
Since its inception, we have awarded grants and worked with schools to build spaces for emboldening students. Examples include Chantilly High School Innovation Lab (1), Rocky Run Maker Space (2), and Deer Park Elementary’s STEAM Lab (3). Grants are awarded based on proposals from local US schools to fund specific requests for student opportunities to engage in creative thinking and problem solving.To be eligible for funds, local schools participate in Asha-Jyothi’s 17th annual 5K Run/Walk, held this year on Sept. 21st, 2025 in Fairfax Corner. Asha-Jyothi donates registrations linked to each school back to the school itself to fund education projects.
Schools honored this year included Deer Park ES, Poplar Tree ES, Chantilly HS, Rocky Run MS, Waxpool ES, Greenbriar West ES, Oak Hill ES, Centreville HS, Centreville ES, Lunsford MS, Lees Corner ES, Brookfield ES, Navy ES, and Greenbriar East ES. In line with AJ’s founding, this milestone kindles the “Dream Big!” spirit by fostering local collaboration, prioritizing youth education, and lastly, supporting innovation amongst teachers, schools, and students.
The deserving recipient of this year’s 2025 Educate-Innovate Grant, privately funded through Educate-Innovate initiative, is being deliberated on and will be announced at a later date.
Here is the link to the event pictures.
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