Recent graduate earns Human Relations Award

July 7, 2023

Yoshna Venkataraman, a 2023 graduate of Upper St. Clair High School, 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.

Nominated by Dan Beck, USCHS assistant principal, and Brooke Tarcson, head of student activities, Yoshna will receive a $5,000 scholarship. In their nomination, Dr. Beck and Mrs. Tarscon praised Yoshna’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.”

Honored to have been nominated for the award, Yoshna 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, Yoshna 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.

Yoshna is pursuing a career in nursing and 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.