Aman Deshmukh
Pleasanton, CA
Aman’s Bio
I am a rising senior at Foothill High School in Pleasanton, California, where I was the pole vaulting captain for two years until I sustained a spinal cord injury during track practice in March 2025. This life changing event left me in a power wheelchair, with limited hand function and no leg function as a quadriplegic, but did not change my core identity as a resilient, positive, funloving, adventure-seeking teenager who loves connecting with people and contributing to the community. Since my injury, I have used adaptive equipment to try out rock climbing, swimming, scuba diving, biking, and soccer, and set up a student athlete safety awareness program. My goal is to continue living life to the fullest, with the tremendous support of family and friends, and to give back to the community by raising awareness for sports safety as well as accessible design and education.
My Core Values
- Leap to Possibility: I launch towards possibility with courage and conviction, knowing that every pole vault begins with a commitment to move forward, even when the landing is uncertain.
- Lock In for Service: I plant my life's pole in service of the larger community, whether it is other spinal cord injury survivors, individuals with disability, sustainability focused organizations, or my peers.
- Change with the Wind: I am attuned to my environment and creative in finding ways to overcome challenges, troubleshooting with resilience to turn obstacles into opportunities.
- Maintain Balance: I strive to balance ambition with gratitude, and recognize that success is not just clearing the bar, but being thankful for the journey and the people that carried me there.
- Make Landing the New Beginning: Just as each landing in pole vault is the beginning of the next launch, I embrace living life to the fullest and discovering new adventures within my new normal.
Meet More Scholars
The Foundation has awarded more than 150 Adventure Scholarships to people who have a dream, believe in the Core Values Matter philosophy and were able to demonstrate financial need. Our Adventure Scholars are a distinctive group of students, athletes, and others. We believe you'll find someone here you can identify with, or perhaps you will help us make this outstanding team of individuals even more diverse and inclusive.
See All Adventure Scholars