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Plymouth
Hero Story
Taneesh Sebastian's story is one of quiet dedication that began in middle school and continues to touch lives today. What makes his service extraordinary is not just its duration, but the thoughtful way he has consistently chosen to work behind the scenes, using his talents to amplify the voices of those in need rather than seeking the spotlight for himself.
Since his early teens, Taneesh has been the unseen hand behind Mai Family Services' outreach materials, creating designs that help South Asian families in crisis find their way to support. His work has been crucial in breaking down cultural barriers that often prevent families from seeking help for domestic violence, mental health challenges, and other sensitive issues. Through his designs, he has helped the organization reach thousands of community members across Michigan, making complex and often stigmatized services more accessible to those who need them most.
But Taneesh's impact extends far beyond graphic design. As a martial arts instructor, he has developed specialized self-defense programs for autistic children, creating a safe space where they can build confidence and physical skills at their own pace. This program has helped dozens of young people develop not just self-defense skills, but also self-assurance and social connections.
His work with The Edit Foundation has brought technological education and opportunities to underserved communities in Asia, while his groundbreaking AI research in student mental health detection shows his commitment to using technology for social good. The AI model he developed, with its 99% accuracy rate, has the potential to help countless students get early intervention for anxiety and depression.
What makes Taneesh's service truly special is how he weaves together his multiple talents – technical expertise, artistic ability, and cultural understanding – to create meaningful change. Whether he's designing outreach materials that help families escape crisis situations, teaching adaptive martial arts, or developing AI solutions for mental health, he approaches each task with humility and genuine concern for those he serves.
The impact of his work ripples through communities: from the domestic violence survivor who found help through a poster he designed, to the autistic child who gained confidence through his teaching, to the struggling student who might find support through his AI research. His service exemplifies how young people can use their unique combination of skills and compassion to make a lasting difference in their communities.
As an artist and advocate, Taneesh has fearlessly used his voice through music to address critical social issues affecting young people. His songs, available on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, aren't just entertainment – they're powerful statements against bullying and stereotypes that plague youth, particularly in minority communities. Through his lyrics, he tackles the challenges of identity, belonging, and the right of young people to be heard in conversations about change. His music serves as both a comfort to those who have faced bullying and a rallying cry for acceptance and equality.
Most remarkably, Taneesh has accomplished all this while maintaining academic excellence and pursuing significant achievements in robotics and entrepreneurship. Yet he never lets his accolades overshadow his commitment to service. Instead, he channels each new skill and achievement into finding better ways to help others, demonstrating that true heroism lies not in the recognition we receive, but in the lives we touch when no one is watching.
Plymouth
Hero Story
Taneesh Sebastian's story is one of quiet dedication that began in middle school and continues to touch lives today. What makes his service extraordinary is not just its duration, but the thoughtful way he has consistently chosen to work behind the scenes, using his talents to amplify the voices of those in need rather than seeking the spotlight for himself.
Since his early teens, Taneesh has been the unseen hand behind Mai Family Services' outreach materials, creating designs that help South Asian families in crisis find their way to support. His work has been crucial in breaking down cultural barriers that often prevent families from seeking help for domestic violence, mental health challenges, and other sensitive issues. Through his designs, he has helped the organization reach thousands of community members across Michigan, making complex and often stigmatized services more accessible to those who need them most.
But Taneesh's impact extends far beyond graphic design. As a martial arts instructor, he has developed specialized self-defense programs for autistic children, creating a safe space where they can build confidence and physical skills at their own pace. This program has helped dozens of young people develop not just self-defense skills, but also self-assurance and social connections.
His work with The Edit Foundation has brought technological education and opportunities to underserved communities in Asia, while his groundbreaking AI research in student mental health detection shows his commitment to using technology for social good. The AI model he developed, with its 99% accuracy rate, has the potential to help countless students get early intervention for anxiety and depression.
What makes Taneesh's service truly special is how he weaves together his multiple talents – technical expertise, artistic ability, and cultural understanding – to create meaningful change. Whether he's designing outreach materials that help families escape crisis situations, teaching adaptive martial arts, or developing AI solutions for mental health, he approaches each task with humility and genuine concern for those he serves.
The impact of his work ripples through communities: from the domestic violence survivor who found help through a poster he designed, to the autistic child who gained confidence through his teaching, to the struggling student who might find support through his AI research. His service exemplifies how young people can use their unique combination of skills and compassion to make a lasting difference in their communities.
As an artist and advocate, Taneesh has fearlessly used his voice through music to address critical social issues affecting young people. His songs, available on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, aren't just entertainment – they're powerful statements against bullying and stereotypes that plague youth, particularly in minority communities. Through his lyrics, he tackles the challenges of identity, belonging, and the right of young people to be heard in conversations about change. His music serves as both a comfort to those who have faced bullying and a rallying cry for acceptance and equality.
Most remarkably, Taneesh has accomplished all this while maintaining academic excellence and pursuing significant achievements in robotics and entrepreneurship. Yet he never lets his accolades overshadow his commitment to service. Instead, he channels each new skill and achievement into finding better ways to help others, demonstrating that true heroism lies not in the recognition we receive, but in the lives we touch when no one is watching.