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Junior Achievement selects two South Fayette students for '18 Under Eighteen' honor
Junior Achievement selects two South Fayette students for '18 Under Eighteen' honor
By Andrea Iglar
Two South Fayette High School seniors have been chosen as “18 Under Eighteen” honorees by Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania: Caroline Praveen and Nandana Menon.
The annual program, presented by the EQT Foundation, showcases the achievements of 18 youth, ages 12 to 18, from across the region.
Junior Achievement said the students “are breaking barriers and driving innovation while showcasing what it takes to be the next generation of leaders.”
Praveen, 17, is driven by her passion for medicine, advocacy and cultural understanding.
She founded the Fluency Forward Foundation to support Pittsburgh’s refugee and immigrant children by teaching conversational English and aiding in cultural assimilation.
She has co-organized a charity event for rural education in India and has written a children’s book celebrating diversity.
In school, she serves as captain of the debate team and president of the South Fayette chapter of the Health Occupations Students of America.
She is a certified emergency medical technician and an accomplished biomedical researcher.
Menon, 18, works to empower neurodiverse communities and advocate for the autism community.
She leads the Autism Unity Initiative, a nonprofit providing resources and support to people with autism and their caregivers.
She has developed a sensory-modified program at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and co-created the Blue Envelope Program with state legislators to improve interactions between people with autism and law enforcement.
In school, she serves as president of the National Honor Society, school board student representative and leader of the Technology Student Association.
She is a certified EMT and has coauthored articles with the University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Research Institute.
Junior Achievement of Western PA is a nonprofit based in South Fayette.
The 2025 honorees challenge traditional notions of influence by showcasing innovation and advocacy across diverse fields such as medicine, entrepreneurship and immigrant assistance, according to Junior Achievement.
“Influence isn’t just about being seen—it’s about creating a ripple effect that inspires action and change,” organization president Patrice Matamoros said.
“These honorees exemplify the power of purpose-driven leadership, showing that even at a young age, their voices and actions can shape the future in profound and meaningful ways.”
A diverse panel of community and business leaders reviewed student nominations from across Western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia to select the honorees.
Junior Achievement is featuring the students on billboards throughout the region; sending them to a leadership, networking and professional branding program; and recognizing them during a ceremony at the UPMC Club at Acrisure Stadium in February.
