Even a global pandemic during their late middle school and early high school years couldn’t stop these 10 teens from showing us their capacity for overcoming adversity to excel in the arts, academics, athletics and so much more. Come meet the multi-hyphenates (entrepreneur/rower/debater! scientist/dancer/class president!) who represent the best of Stamford’s next generation. This year’s group of talented young people impressed us by how they made their mark being true to themselves, leaning into their personal interests to shine. If there is a through line that connects them all, it is an authenticity that seems to belie their age. No matter our own stage of life, we all have a lot to learn from and be inspired by their passion and determination. We look forward to watching their stories unfold. This is simply the first act.
See the rest of this year’s Stamford Teens to Watch.
Jaipal DOHIL
King School
Jaipal Dohil is a competitive rower and debater, Model U.N. member and all-around ambitious student whose interests include macro- and microeconomics, market simulations and leading the Investment Club at the King School.
It’s all serious and heady stuff, but the 17-year-old senior still finds time for the sweeter things in life, like sharing his mouthwatering brownies.
Dohil grew up helping his mother, Seema, a gifted baker, make delicious custom cakes for family and friends. Eventually, he took over the mixing bowl, finding he loved experimenting with recipes. “If I have a specialty, it’s brownies,” he says. “I’ve noticed it can be interesting when you mix semi-sweet, bitter and other kinds of chocolate together.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic Dohil and his three younger sisters launched Baking Happiness, a nonprofit that delivers sweet treats to homebound seniors and nursing home residents. “The idea started with us dropping things off to my grandparents who were pretty unhappy during lockdown,” he says. “It was a small gesture that made them really happy.”
Soon, the family was busy baking for other isolated seniors. “We packaged everything beautifully and wrote special messages,” he says. “We’re delivering cookies, but I’ve learned the thing we’re really doing is addressing the problem of loneliness.”
To make things more personal, Baking Happiness began bringing in-person cookie decorating classes to senior centers. “It’s always exciting to see the fun and happiness that can come from an afternoon together.”
The project also gives Dohil a welcome respite from the demands of an otherwise grueling school and sports schedule that can include 5 a.m. weekend regattas as well as regular early morning weekday crew team practices. “I love it out on the water when you’re not struggling with the intensity,” he says.
Jaipal takes a lineup of AP classes and then tackles serious real-world subjects for King’s debate team, where he’s made strong showings in state competitions. “What I like most about debating is that you’re never allowed just to argue your own point of view,” he says. “A subject may really resonate with you in a very personal way, but you have to be prepared to argue both sides regardless of your own feelings.”
Dohil’s burgeoning interest in economics might someday offer him pragmatic approaches to real-world problems through a field such as investment banking. “I have this passion for economics, but it’s also a role that involves working with people, dealing with clients, working on deals and helping companies,” he says. “It seems like another way to make an impact.”
POP QUIZ
Who is your ultimate dinner party guest?
“Manchester United’s soccer forward Marcus Rashford.The Premier Leaguer is a steely player on the pitch, but Dohil salutes his commitment to ending food insecurity. “For me it’s cookies, for him it’s trying to end hunger. I really admire him for that, and for using his platform to have an impact.”