Chatham Student Awarded Prestigious P.E.O. Star Scholarship

CHATHAM, NJ — The most recent recipient of the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship is a Chatham High School senior who demonstrates excellence in leadership, academics and community service.

Chatham High School senior Shannon Carey was awarded the $2,500 scholarship due to her demonstrating the potential for future success.

"Shannon Carey is definitely a student who embodies the characteristics of one who is dedicated to the spirit of learning. Shannon is extremely industrious and demonstrates exceptional strengths and achievement across multiple disciplines," said Lisa Kool-Behr, a counselor at Chatham High School. "Shannon is extremely task-oriented, and she looks to engage in experiences that will pave the way for success in her future goals."

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship was established in 2009 to provide scholarships for outstanding women in their senior year of high school to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the United States or Canada the following academic year.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must:

• Exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success
• Have a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Is in the final academic year of her secondary education and is 20 years of age or under at the end of the calendar year
• Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada
• Plan to attend an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada full time or part-time in the fall of the academic year following high school graduation
• Be recommended by and receives the vote of a local P.E.O. chapter
• The applications of individuals who satisfy these eligibility criteria will be evaluated on a nondiscriminatory basis without consideration of race, age, national origin, religious affiliation, disability or P.E.O. connection.

Outside of school, Carey is a member of the Chatham Emergency Squad and has been an official member since 2021. The Chatham Emergency Squad responds to all 911 calls for medical emergencies in both Chathams, caring for the sick and injured and transporting them to area hospitals.

"Her most rewarding activity has been her dedication to the Chatham Rescue Squad working as an EMT, work that has only further confirmed her desire to pursue nursing as a field of study in college. Her passion and dedication to the pursuit of a purposeful education goes unabated," Kool-Behr said.