At just thirteen, Deena Mangalaraj speaks with the kind of insight that usually takes decades to earn. An eighth grader at Macomb Junior High School, she is bright, self-aware, and thoughtful — the sort of student who doesn’t just participate but quietly makes things better for those around her.

Deena has been part of Student Council since the school first opened. “We plan dances, fundraisers, and service events,” she said. “And we meet monthly with Ms. Lewis to talk about how to make the school better.” Those conversations with Principal Kibbee Lewis have taught her the value of collaboration. “When everyone shares ideas, we find better solutions,” she said. “It’s about working together, not just being in charge.”

That sense of teamwork has carried into nearly every part of Deena’s life. She plays violin in the orchestra, performs bass clarinet in jazz band, and participates in Science Club, Math Olympiad, Robotics, Swing Choir, and Student Council. “I have to wake up early for jazz band,” she said with a grin, “but it’s worth it. Music gives me energy for the day.”

Her curiosity extends well beyond the arts. “I love science and how the human body works,” she said. “Someday I’d like to go into medicine — maybe something related to the brain or the heart.” Her father, a computer science professor at Western Illinois University, and her older sister, a student at Brown University studying international relations, have inspired her to think big. “I’d like to go to a really good school, maybe even an Ivy,” she said. “But mostly I just want to do something that helps people.”

That perspective — a mix of ambition and empathy — has become her signature. “When I was new here, it was hard,” she admitted. “Now I try to help sixth and seventh-graders who might feel the same way. Sometimes it just takes someone who listens.”

It’s an awareness that also informs her view of diversity and community. “We all come from different backgrounds,” she said. “But that’s what makes us stronger. The differences help us learn from each other.”

Still, Deena admits that being a high-achieving middle schooler comes with its challenges. “I used to get upset if I missed even one point on an assignment,” she said. “I wanted everything to be perfect. But I’ve learned that mistakes are part of learning.”

That shift — from chasing perfection to embracing progress — has changed the way she approaches school, leadership, and life. “Someone once said, ‘Progress over perfection,’” she recalled. “It’s one of my favorite quotes. You can’t grow if you’re afraid to make mistakes.”

Her teachers describe her as a steady presence — not loud or showy, but quietly confident. “I like to help people,” she said. “Not because I want attention, but because it makes a difference. When you help someone else, it changes your day, too.”

Outside of school, Deena enjoys sketching, reading, and spending time with her family. “We’re all busy, but we try to have dinner together most nights,” she said. “That’s when we talk about our days, and I get to hear about my dad’s students or my sister’s classes. It reminds me that learning doesn’t stop after school.”

As she prepares to move on to high school, Deena is both realistic and optimistic. “It’ll definitely be harder,” she said, “but I’m ready. I’ve learned that change isn’t something to be afraid of. It’s how you grow.”

In her quiet way, Deena embodies the very philosophy she’s come to believe in — that progress, not perfection, is what truly matters. “We’re all human,” she said simply. “And if we can learn from our mistakes, then we’re already doing something right.”