P.E.O. International is a philanthropic and educational organization that promotes increased educational opportunities for women.
Megha Bharadwaj, a Mt. Laurel resident and 2017 Lenape High School graduate, has been awarded the STAR Scholarship by P.E.O. International, an international philanthropic and educational organization that promotes increased educational opportunities for women.
Bharadwaj will be attending Barnard College in New York City in the fall.
The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship based on excellence in leadership, extracurricular activities, community service, academics and potential for future success. Bharadwaj was recommended for the scholarship by P.E.O. Chapter W of Haddonfield.
At Lenape, Bharadwaj was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, the Debate Team, the Women of the World club and the Community Service Club. Additionally, she served as a member of the Girls Advisory Council at the Alice Paul Institute in Mt. Laurel, and is a Gold Award Recipient in the Girl Scouts of America, the highest achievement within the Girl Scouts.
For her Gold Award project, Bharadwaj envisioned, designed and orchestrated a program titled “Rise Above 25”, a Women in STEM Career Night, aimed at educating the community’s youth and sparking the interest of young girls in science, technology, engineering and math related fields.
Bharadwaj is also a member of the Courtyard Dancers. This group, headquartered in Philadelphia, creates and stages contemporary Indian dance. As part of this group, Bharadwaj performs throughout the area.
In the fall, Bharadwaj will pursue a career in the sciences while continuing to participate in her other activities.
“I believe in doing everything to the best of my potential. I strive to learn and master material and immerse myself in whatever I am doing,” Bharadwaj said.
The P.E.O. Sisterhood, founded in 1869 at Iowa Wesleyan College, is an international philanthropic and educational organization that promotes increased educational opportunities for women. There are nearly 6000 local chapters in the United States and Canada. For additional information about the STAR Scholarship and other P.E.O. programs, visit www.peointernational.org.
