Viren Rana is a part of a mentorship program at Pierce Lake Elementary School, a high school program in which students have the opportunity to work in a classroom to see if a teaching career is right for them. “Kids love him and he’s good with them," teacher Luman Strong says.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

As dozens of Pierce Lake Elementary School third-graders leave the room for lunch, Viren Rana salutes each one individually.

“Bye Maddie, see you, Chase,” he says.

The kids enthusiastically say good-bye, some asking when is the next time Rana will bring them treats, others popping back in minutes later to say hi again. Though only a cadet teacher for a couple months, Rana knows all their names and they all know his.

“He’s like a rock star,” teacher Luman Strong says. “Kids love him and he’s good with them.”

The mentorship program, only one of several community service activities Rana takes part in, is a high school program in which students have the opportunity to work in a classroom to see if a teaching career is right for them.

Though the 17-year-old Chelsea High School student has no plans to become a teacher, he said he chose to take part in the program to have the experience of teaching kids, an opportunity he worries he might not have again during the intensive direct-undergraduate-to-medical school program he’ll start next year at Saint Louis University in Missouri.

“I thought I might get some more volunteer experience,” he said. “I like seeing smiles on other people’s faces.”

Rana, who has spent many summers in India visiting family and volunteering in hospitals, said he eventually hopes to become either an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon and open up a hospital in India, where he says they are badly needed.

Rana said he has wanted to become a doctor since he was young, but his uncle’s sudden death after a car accident when Rana was in eighth grade convinced him even further what he wanted to do in his life.

“That’s when I realized you can have the power to treat someone and save someone’s life,” he said. “I value being able to give someone a second chance.”

Since then, Rana has been actively preparing for a career in medicine and working with people.

As president of Chelsea High School’s Student Council, Rana has organized a number of events that benefit both his school and community. One of his proudest accomplishments was organizing Dance Marathon Extravaganza, a 12-hour dance marathon that raised more than $5,000 for Ele’s Place, a nonprofit organization that assists children who are grieving.

Chelsea High School Principal Julie Deppner said the event not only raised money but also brought a lot of diversity into Chelsea. She said Rana organized cultural activities, such as Indian and South African dance groups, to perform at the marathon.

“That activity in itself exemplifies who Viren is,” she said. “We don’t have a lot of diversity here in Chelsea, and to have student like Viren bring that diversity to our students is just outstanding.”

Outside of school, Rana continues to spend his time helping the community as a high school tutor, hospital volunteer and swim instructor for autistic children, among other activities.

While Deppner said Rana’s service and character make him a role model for other students, to Rana, caring for others is just what he loves to do.

“I just found a passion for volunteering,” he said. “It’s one of the funnest things to do.”

Erica Hobbs is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2537 or via email at ericahobbs@annarbor.com.