Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania once again searched for eighteen of the most outstanding young people across Western PA and Northern WV , and they found three of them right here in South Fayette !
Seniors Alekhya Buragadda and Prerna Chakkingal and 6th grader Daniella Neve have all been named to the Class of 2024 for Junior Achievement ’ s 18 Under Eighteen . At an awards ceremony on February 6 at Acrisure Stadium , these three young women were recognized for their talents and achievements .
Buragadda stands out for her volunteer work and her commitment to the global community . As a board member for organizations like TechGirlz and The Citizens Science Lab , she provides children in underserved and underfunded areas with access to opportunities in science , technology , engineering , and math . She founded a non-profit , Women Welfare , through which more than 200 women globally have continued their education through access provided by the organization . She has been recognized with the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her work .
Buraggada is passionate about destigmatizing mental health among children and teens and has been actively involved in passing legislation regarding mental health days for PA students . Additionally , she is a published researcher and author with
articles in Johns Hopkins ’ Pre-Collegiate Global Health Review and the International Youth Neuroscience Association Journal . She also wrote “ NeuroGyn : Harmonizing Body and Mind ” examining the connection between mental and physical health .
Chakkingal ’ s achievements include being an accomplished public speaker on societal issues and giving voice to underrepresented populations . She has delivered three TEDx Talks on societal issues and being a woman of color – one of which became a Top 100 Most Popular TEDx Talk in 2022 . She also spoke at the Global Health Leaders Conference about how diversity in clinical lab research impacts equitable healthcare in our country .
Additionally , Chakkingal is a music therapy volunteer working with children with neurodevelopmental differences , and she is part of a student-led regional podcast collaborative . She was selected for the prestigious Disney Dreamers Academy in 2023 and was runner-up in the high school category of the 2023 Youth Essay Competition through the India Philanthropy Alliance .
Neve was recognized by Junior Achievement for her use of TikTok as a platform for change . She spreads positivity and encourages organ donation - a quest that began with using the platform to find a kidney donor for her father in 2021 . She has partnered with transplant surgeons at UPMC and local media to promote living kidney donations and to help find donor matches .
Ellen Rossi , president of the EQT Foundation which joins Junior Achievement in presenting 18 Under Eighteen , stated in a press release , “ This class of talented and highly impressive students exemplify what young adults across this region are working to build - a place where they can make an impact and a change in their communities .”
In addition to the awards ceremony , Buragadda , Chakkingal , and Neve , along with the 15 other accomplished youth in this 18 Under Eighteen class , have been given the opportunity to learn about personal branding , networking , and professional development through virtual attendance of the Intern to VP ® Professional Branding and Leadership Development Training Program presented by Moments of Focus LLC . They will also be featured on billboards in the Pittsburgh region .
Junior Achievement is in its third year of recognizing 18 Under Eighteen . South Fayette had two awardees in each of the prior years . outh Fayette SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Upcoming
EVENTS
Beauty and the Beast , High School Spring Musical
March 15 & 16 at 7 p . m ., March 17 at 2 p . m . HS Theatre .
Mini-THON
April 26 at 6 p . m . - April 27 at 6 a . m .
Annual fundraising event for pediatric cancer . The community is welcome to join us at the high school on Friday , April 26 , 6 - 8 p . m . for an obstacle course , games , food trucks , and more .
South Fayette Glow Run , 5K and Fun Run with glow-in-the-dark course through SFTSD campus .
June 1 , 5 - 9:30 p . m .
Runners and walkers of all ages welcome ! Food and games available for nonrunners . Proceeds benefit Four Diamonds . Registration open through May 22 .
SOUTH FAYETTE ❘ SPRING 2024 33