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Upper St. Clair graduate earns scholarship award

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Yoshna Venkataraman of Upper St. Clair was recently named a co-winner of the 2023 Caplan-Lieber Human Relations Award from the Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee Donor Advised Fund and the Jewish Community Center. A 2023 Upper St. Clair High School graduate, she received a $5,000 scholarship.

Dan Beck, USC assistant principal, and Brooke Tarcson, head of student activities, nominated Venkataraman for the prize. In their nomination, Beck and Tarscon praised Venkataraman’s leadership in Student Council, Standing Together, No Place for Hate, and the school’s peer mentoring program, as well as her efforts as the founding member of Mending Mindsets, the school’s first mental-health awareness club.

“Yoshna is intrinsically motivated to combat prejudice and foster positive relations in our high school,” they said. “Throughout her time in high school, she has developed a keen understanding of servant leadership, a passion for giving back to her community, and a drive to help others reach their own academic and service goals.”

Venkataraman credits her success to her supportive friends, teachers, and other adults.

“Because of the support I’ve received, I have been motivated to make a welcoming environment to create genuine, long-lasting relationships with my peers and school community,” she said. “By getting involved in the school community, I’ve been able to model and educate my peers, to foster empathy, and to reinforce the positive school culture that we have here at USC.”

In January 2022, Venkataraman was named among the inaugural 18 Under Eighteen honorees by Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania. The program showcases the notable talents and achievements of 18 of the region’s most incredible young people. Yoshna is a member of National Honor Society and recently volunteered at the Prom Fashion Show for the residents of Friendship Village of South Hills.

Venkataraman is pursuing a career in nursing. She will begin her studies at Case Western Reserve University this fall.

As the sponsoring educational institution, Upper St. Clair High School will also be recognized with a $500 award from the Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee Donor Advised Fund and the Jewish Community Center.

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