For Karishama Vahora, seeing herself reflected in the people around her and finding a community that truly understood her experience has made all the difference. 

 

A member of the Seattle Summer Search Class of 2017, Karishama recently joined fellow alumni at the 2025 Alumni Summit, where she reflected on how her Summer Search journey has shaped her journey. You can watch Karishama’s video from the summit and read more below!

 

Check out Karishama’s interview from the 2025 Alumni Summit

 

Like all Summer Searchers, Karishama had the opportunity to participate in two transformative summer experiences: immersive trips designed to push students outside their comfort zones, build lifelong skills, and deepen their sense of self and community. 

 

Her first experience took her close to home, but far outside her comfort zone. Through a partnership with the Seattle nonprofit Bike Works, Karishama spent two weeks biking across the San Juan Islands in Washington State. 

 

“I learned a lot of great things about myself, my peers, and the things that I can accomplish in life through physical activity.” 

 

That sense of self-discovery continued during her second summer experience: a three-week trip to Nicaragua. This time, the impact was deepened by the guidance of a mentor who understood her journey on a personal level. Karishama’s mentor, Regina Dove, is also a Summer Search alum whose shared experience and ongoing support helped shape Karishama’s confidence before and after the trip.  

 

“That experience made my Summer Search journey like ten times better,” Karishama shared. “Having someone that went through the program who understood what we were going through – being first generation herself, navigating career and college, and relating to her when I was navigating that part of my life – was very important.” 

 

Years later, the two are still in touch, and Karishama continues to see Regina as a mentor. This is one of Summer Search’s strengths, as mentee and mentor relationships often extend far beyond even the post-secondary years of the program. Karishama’s experience and the power of our Depth Mentorship model in general are validated by contemporary social science, as long-term research has shown that adult mentors contribute to economic stability in adulthood. 

 

At the heart of Karishama’s Summer Search experience was the powerful experience of finding people who shared her values, background, and drive. 

 

“Meeting people that were like-minded, people that I still connect with till this day…It gave us confidence, self-determination.” 

 

At the Alumni Summit, Karishama reconnected with peers she first met as a high school student, people who understand her journey in a way few others can. That sense of belonging and representation continues to be a source of strength for many of our alumni, and is one of the goals of our biennial Alumni Summit. 

 

Today, Karishama is a qualitative researcher in public health, focused on community engagement and outreach. She recently earned her master’s degree in public health and, in her free time, loves getting outside and going for hikes. 

 

Karishama’s story reminds us of what’s possible when young people are given opportunities to challenge themselves while being supported by mentors and peers who can meet them where they are, including in identity and lived experience. When Summer Searchers like Karishama find community and confidence, they more than rise to the challenge! 

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The Summer Search journey doesn’t end with a milestone—it continues to evolve through the lives and leadership of our Alumni. We’re excited to continue our Alumni Spotlight Series to answer the question, “Who are Summer Search Alumni?”. This series will feature conversations with Alumni across our community who share their experiences with Summer Search, how they are building careers, strengthening their communities, and navigating what’s next.