Navin Narayan began his involvement with the Red Cross when he was only 14 years old by cleaning manikins used to teach CPR and quickly sought ways to become more and more involved. As national disaster relief volunteer and trainer, international speaker on human rights, and tireless advocate for Red Cross causes, Navin changed the way youth are now connected to the American Red Cross.
While devoting his time to service through the Red Cross, Navin also excelled academically, graduating valedictorian of his high school, earning a summa cum laude in Social Studies at Harvard University, and winning a Rhodes Scholarship. His willingness to always put others ahead of himself and constant eagerness to learn made him a truly unique, humble and respected individual.
Diagnosed in his junior year of high school, Navin succumbed to cancer at the age of 23. Although his life was short, he lived it with such dignity that his legacy lives on through those he served, particularly his fellow youth volunteers of the American Red Cross.
The Navin Narayan College Scholarship is given to exceptional graduating high school seniors who show high academic competence and ambition, longevity and dedication to the American Red Cross, and leadership in their respective positions.