Future Columbia University Freshman Recipient of 2012 PENTA Scholarship

WESTBOROUGH, MA _ Every once in a while a person comes along who is a stand out. Perhaps it’s through their physical prowess, their social service endeavors, or their academic skills, but when one such person comes along, you sit up and take notice.

Sneha Subramaniam, a Westborough High School (WHS) senior is one such person, and the winner of the 2012 recipient of the Deborah A. Penta Female Leadership award.

“I feel greatly honored to have been chosen to receive this scholarship award and wish to express my sincere thanks to Penta Communications, Inc.,” Subramaniam said.

The Deborah A. Penta Female Leadership Award was founded in 2005 by Deborah Penta, CEO of PENTA Communications, Inc., of Westborough, to help inspire and acknowledge female high school students at WHS who excel in their leadership roles in academia and extra curricular activities. Applicants must be college bound female high school seniors, and are required to submit a full resume, essay, and three letters of recommendation from a faculty member and other individuals, who can explain how the student has demonstrated leadership qualities/skills in her classroom, team, committee or place of employment.

“Year after year, we are more impressed with the caliber of our scholarship applicants, and it is always a very difficult decision because of this. We reviewed applications from so many bright and highly qualified young women who are incredibly accomplished and will succeed in whatever they set their minds to accomplishing in life,” said Deborah Penta, CEO of PENTA Communications, Inc. “Sneha’s work over the past four years in all areas is truly remarkable and really stood out. We were impressed by the substance of her submission, by her goal setting abilities and the dedication and commitment to her goals, her extraordinary academic performance, her leadership and her community involvement.”

Subramaniam’s resume read like that of someone much older than her years. From her academic excellence in her high school courses, to her near perfect score on her SATs, Subramaniam makes all aspects of learning look easy.

“As a freshman in 2008, and continuing up to present day, Sneha’s transcript has evidenced selection of the most rigorous and demanding courses,” said School Guidance Counselor Steven Favulli. “She has made incredible contributions to the classroom environment while acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to be an influential and trendsetting 21st century learner.”

Subramaniam’s goal is to become a doctor, and she has been working diligently to make her dream a reality.

“These past four years I have dedicated myself to finding out more about the medical field by conducting extensive biomedical research, volunteering in hospitals, and shadowing doctors. The more I was involved in the field, the more I fell in love with it as a future career, and the more I wanted to share that excitement with others around me,” Subramaniam said.

She shared that enthusiasm by tutoring high school and middle school students in math and science and by working to bring the science fair and the US Biology Olympiad to WHS.

“At the beginning of the school year (2012), Sneha gently asked if I would sponsor the US Biology Olympiad. When I explained I knew nothing about it, she provided background material and assisted with getting the school registered,” said Todd Ryan, WHS science teacher. “During this first year, we had 35 students at the open exam and five more move to the semifinal exam directly because of Sneha’s leadership and organization.”

In addition to a vast array of academic successes, Subramaniam is also a member of the Westborough Student Council, WHS Math Team, WHS Science Fair Team, WHS ambassador, an accomplished Bharatanatyam (South Indian Classical Dance) dancer, founding member of Jhalak (dance group), interned at UMass Medical Center Clinical Assay Labs (2010-2011) member of the Indian Youth Group, and was a part of the WHS field hockey team (Freshman, Junior), Basketball (Freshman), and Track (Sophomore).

When asked who has inspired her, Subramaniam was quick to note that her parents are her inspiration, and have shaped her into who she is today. She plans on attending Columbia University in New York and to major in Biomedical Engineering.

“I would like to encourage every young woman to pursue her dream, be passionate about anything she does and to work hard,” Subramaniam added.

For more information on the Deborah A. Penta Female Leadership Scholarship or on PENTA Communications, Inc., visit www.pentamarketing.com.