Park Ridge Chamber Announces Scholarship Recipients
The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 Park Ridge Chamber Scholarship. Each candidate received $1000 towards furthering their education. Applicants were carefully reviewed and selected by the Chamber Board based on academic standings, extracurricular activities, community service, letters of recommendation and their overall contribution to society. Please join us in congratulating the following students for earning this competitive scholarship: Charlotte Geier, Maine South High School and Richa Parikh, Maine East High School.
Charlotte Geier is an inclusive, natural-born leader in every aspect of her life. Geier played integral roles as the Southwords editor-in-chief, Yearbook editor-in-chief, Key Club president, and as a member of the National Honour Society, French National Honour Society, Special Olympics Youth Activation Committee for Illinois, Hawk Pals, Special Olympics, Principal's Advisory Council Executive Board, Mock Trial and DECA girls tennis. Geier received numerous awards including Columbia Scholastic Press Association's Gold Circle Award and District 207's Best for Community Service. Additionally, Geier has spent much of her free time volunteering at non-profit organizations including Avenues to Independence, Have Dreams, Camp SOAR and St. Paul of the Cross.
Geier will attend the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where she intends to double major in business and journalism, with the ultimate goal of attending law school and specializing in Special Education Law.
Richa Parikh has worked endlessly for the betterment of our community. Over the last four years, Parikh has served as the Principle’s Student Leadership Team co-president, NHS vice president, Maine East Tennis team captain, and has been recognized as a four year Schuler Scholar. Throughout her high school career, Parikh consistently challenged herself academically and excelled in over 10 AP and Dual College Credit classes including BC Calc and Multivariable Calculus. In her Dual College Credit College Entrepreneurship Accelerated class, she and her team won First Place and a $1000 investment for their new tech business idea, Wishful Wardrobe.
Parikh also led numerous philanthropic initiatives as she served as co-president of the Rotary Interact, including the WGN Toy Drive, Digital Literacy Initiative for Park Ridge Seniors, Meals for Africa, Park Ridge Charity Classic 5K, Play It Forward Tennis Tournament, and Pedals for the Parks - Bike & Trike Exchange.
Parikh will continue to strive for excellence in all that she does as she attends Claremont McKenna College this fall.
Charlotte Geier and Richa Parikh are known as influential leaders by colleagues, teachers and community members. Their outstanding academic achievements truly compliment their high impact community service contributions and deserve the highest recognition. "The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce recognizes the value young people like these are already bringing to our community and our country, and our members want to honor them and help them achieve even more," Gail Haller, Park Ridge Chamber Executive Director concludes.
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