South Fayette honors Nandana Menon and Caroline Praveen as 18 Under 18 recipients

The South Fayette Township School District Board Meeting held on February 18, 2025, commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an announcement regarding an executive session that addressed personnel and legal matters prior to the public meeting.

The highlight of the evening was a special recognition segment led by high school principal Dr. Natasha Durda, honoring two exemplary seniors from the Class of 2025, Mindana Menon and Caroline Praveen, who were named recipients of the prestigious "18 Under 18" award. This accolade recognizes young leaders across the region for their impactful contributions to their communities.

Dr. Durda introduced Mindana Menon, who has made significant strides in supporting neurodiverse communities. As the leader of the Autism Unity Initiative, Mindana has developed resources that have reached over 2,000 caregivers and has created programs benefiting 200,000 neurodiverse children annually. Her extensive involvement includes co-authoring articles with the University of Pittsburgh and serving as president of the National Honor Society at South Fayette High School.

Following Mindana, Mr. TJ Salopek introduced Caroline Praveen, who is recognized for her advocacy work with immigrant and refugee children through her foundation, Fluency Forward. Caroline has organized events to raise funds for education in India and has authored a children's book celebrating diversity. She is also a certified EMT and has presented research at national conferences.

Both students expressed gratitude for the support they received from their school community, highlighting the role of their teachers and families in their achievements. Mindana plans to continue her advocacy work post-graduation, while Caroline aims to pursue a career in medicine and expand her initiatives.

The meeting concluded with board members acknowledging the accomplishments of both students, emphasizing their roles as inspiring figures for future generations at South Fayette. The board expressed pride in their achievements and the positive impact they have made both locally and globally.