Fellow:Lazar Paroski
Bio
My name is Lazar Paroski, I am a current senior at Iona University, in New Rochelle New York. I was born in Novi Sad, Serbia, and grew up in Srbobran, where my love for nature and the outdoors developed. Spending time on our family farm near the Danube-Tisa-Danube Canal, I developed a deep connection with the environment, which has shaped much of my academic and personal interests.
I thrive in leadership roles and community engagement, whether through school activities or my involvement in environmental and social causes. I have always been passionate about working with people, organizing projects, and being a voice for my peers, which led me to roles such as Senior Resident Assistant and Executive Vice President of the Student Government at Iona University. My experiences living in both Serbia and the United States, including a year of high school in Portland, Oregon, have broadened my perspective and deepened my curiosity about different cultures and approaches to solving global challenges.
I enjoy spending my free time outdoors, whether it's hiking, working out, or simply exploring nature. My background in Serbia, combined with my experiences in the U.S., has given me a unique outlook on environmental issues, and I am committed to making a positive impact both in my community and globally.
Achievements
Besides being Executive vice president and senior resident assistant I am also a Co-Founder and Co-President of the Iona Green Faith Circle, President of Iona International Club. I also serve as the Director of OSSI Amerika-overseeing all Serbian students studying in the whole of North America, Special Youth Advisor to the President of the Global Millennium Foundation at the UN, and Youth Advisor and Intern at the General Consulate of Serbia in NYC. I have a strong passion for nature and environmental causes, and I've organized various projects and activities throughout my academic journey. In high school, I won several competitions, including the "Lighthouse of Knowledge" award for raising awareness about the position of disabled people in society. During my time at Iona, I won the Iona Innovation Challenge as a freshman and later won first place at the state level for best business idea in the safety and mobility track. I turned this idea into a successful company during my junior year.
In addition to academics and leadership roles, I’m involved in volunteering with the Serbian and American Red Cross and supporting initiatives like the “Blue Circle” to combat diabetes.
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