Annika Sharma
Hometown: Short Hills, N.J.
Major: Finance and marketing with a philosophy minor
Notable Activities/Achievements: AHANA Bowman Scholar; Women in Business; 2020 Miss Massachusetts Teen USA Winner; 2023 Miss Massachusetts USA Winner; president, Boston College Fashion Club; Phaymus dance organization; Student Admission Program ambassador.
Mentors: Anitza Grubb (Carroll School).
Post-Graduation Plans: Work as wealth management analyst at Bank of America, then study for an M.B.A. at New York University.
Sharma always made sure to prioritize service and her relationships with others before attending Boston College, and as the current Miss Massachusetts USA she has only furthered her passions in such spheres. Her experiences in the Carroll School and her commitment to learning about the University’s Jesuit values have propelled her to advocate for women in underrepresented fields including business and STEM. Though Sharma is sad to leave the Heights, she is already thinking about what she can do to give back to those on campus who made an impact on her.
You’ve been chosen as Miss Massachusetts USA in two competitions. What has it been like to participate in pageantry while attending college?
In high school, I was not a winner by any means. It was something fun to build my confidence. I had only technically lived in Massachusetts for about five months at the time of doing Miss Massachusetts Teen USA, but living in the residence halls and walking around campus, it is very easy to feel like you are from here after just a month.
When I won, that changed my whole life. I started a healthy living and body positivity movement virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic called "The Shape Within,” and through social media live streams and virtual programming, I have sought to be a role model for teens across Massachusetts. My bubble expanded like crazy, even now. I have been to 11 cities this semester as a result of being chosen Miss Massachusetts USA again. This part of my life has taken up a severe amount of my college time, but Boston College has been so supportive about the stuff that I have done. The BC faculty are incredible.
How has Boston College made a difference in your life?
Being in the Carroll School and having those smaller classes has allowed me to develop many relationships with students who are in my year, which has been really special. That’s what you take here: being able to connect afterwards. I feel like we have definitely made CSOM a family. The professors are always willing to answer questions and are always there when you need it, even with things that are more personal.
Boston College is also a familial school which is really important to me. Game days and Parents Weekend really touch on that. This has just been the perfect school for me.
You were selected as a Governor’s STEM Scholar just prior to your freshman year at BC. What was that experience like?
I always thought I was going to go into STEM. Being a 2019 Governor’s STEM Scholar meant that you had to conduct some very in-depth research and my project revolved around nutrition. It's a huge passion of mine: Healthy eating and working out are large parts of my life. That was also my platform for Miss Massachusetts Teen USA—positive body image—so I wanted to combine that passion with my love of science. Even though I ended up going into business, it was such a great foundation to have going into college as I was able to have more advanced insight when I wrote research papers or conducted investigations into parts of the business world. I felt very prepared no matter what field I entered into.
You mentioned Anitza Grubb as having been a mentor. What impact has she had on your time at BC?
Anitza was my Organizational Behavior professor and taught me so much about going into the business world and being a female in that environment. She has been amazing in that way. She was also “Miss Memphis,” so it was easy for her to relate on that front as well.
What activities have had the most significant impact on you here?
My time in Fashion Club. That was the first club I ever joined here. I remember seeing them on Stokes Lawn during the Student Involvement Fair and thinking “Oh I love style and all that, I’ll just sign up.” I ended up meeting the most incredible people. Even the seniors who have graduated throughout the last few years are people I am close to. Becoming president this year was such a full-circle moment because I can think back to that little table I walked up to on Stokes—and now I’m the one running it. We just had our first fashion show and it was completely packed. It was so much fun and such a great experience.
You were very involved in service and activism before you came to BC as the founder of both Girl Talk Millburn and the Run for RAINN 5K. How has BC influenced the role these interests play in your life?
The University’s motto of “men and women for others” really struck me. Volunteering and community service has been a huge part of my life and who I am, so coming here and seeing how many clubs revolved around that, and how many opportunities there were for students to get involved, was so cool to see. The food banks around Boston that I’ve been able to volunteer with have been great.
Being able to volunteer as Miss Massachusetts USA, and having Boston College be so open to that, is just incredible. I want to come back after graduation and organize something revolving around community service because of that impact.
Meghan Keefe '24 | University Communications | May 2023