3 minute read
Students chosen for '18 Under 18' honor
Junior Achievement selects three South Fayette students for '18 Under Eighteen' honor
Three South Fayette students have been chosen as “18 Under Eighteen” honorees by Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania.
The third annual program showcases the talents and achievements of youth ages 11 to 18 across the region.
South Fayette students have been selected every year.
The 2024 honorees are Alekhya Buragadda, 17, Prerna Chakkingal, 17, and Daniella Neve, 11.
Alekhya is dedicated to the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), creating workshops for children from underserved and underfunded areas and conducting work in the healthcare field.
She has published research in gynecology and neuroscience and written the book, “NeuroGyn: Harmonizing Body and Mind.”
She works as an Emergency Medical Technician and volunteers at UPMCMagee Womens Hospital.
Alekhya also is founder of Women Welfare, a nonprofit dedicated to developing the skills of women across the globe through access to healthcare and education.
Prerna, an accomplished public speaker, gives voice to underrepresented populations.
She has given three TedX Talks about societal issues and her experience as a young woman of color, and she has spoken about the importance of diversity in clinical lab research.
She is a music therapy volunteer, using instruments to promote communication skills in children with neurodevelopmental differences.
Prerna also is a host and council member for a student-led regional podcast collaborative.
Daniella found a life-saving kidney donation for her father, Ryan, in 2021 using TikTok, a video sharing app.
Now, she is collaborating with transplant surgeons and media outlets to use her social media model to promote living kidney donations.
Her TikTok account has 116,000 followers and 6.2 million likes.
Daniella also is an accomplished softball player.
Junior Achievement of Western PA is a nonprofit based in South Fayette Township.
"Our honorees represent talent and leadership in the region,” organization president Patrice Matamoros said. "Each year, we highlight students who symbolize a brighter future and challenge conventions with their fresh perspectives.”
A diverse committee of community and business leaders reviewed student nominations and interviewed finalists to become the select eighteen.
Junior Achievement is featuring the students on billboards throughout the region, sending them to a virtual leadership training and professional branding program, and recognizing them during a ceremony at the UPMC Club at Acrisure Stadium in February.
Learn more about the students: westernpa.ja.org
