Congratulations to Meera Kohli for receiving the Mendinhall Award! This award is granted to a Wilmington Friends student each year, in memory of John Marshall Mendenhall II, class of 1939, to recognize “the senior whose ideals and service to the School make her or him an outstanding member of the graduating class” and one “who is considered to have done the most for the school.”

John Marshall Mendinhall II devoted his life to serving our country. When he lost his life during World War II in May of 1945, his fellow classmates decided to create an award in honor of his life’s work. Although Mendinhall was a star athlete, the award acknowledges a “broader scope” of his and the recipient’s activities and contributions to our community.

Meera has enriched our school community with her service, dedication, and leadership. She is the president of two clubs, was elected Communications Clerk for the Business Meeting team, served as co-editor for the Whittier’s Entertainment section, took part in school productions, and became a captain of the volleyball and tennis teams. Meera also organized the successful B+ Dance-a-thon, raising over $28,000 for the B+ Foundation this year alone. Meera has applied her leadership and service beyond the school community, volunteering for over 90 hours at AI Dupont Hospital and 50 hours at the Hindu Temple.

Meera makes leadership look seemingly easy. Dean for Students, Lynne Puritz-Fine, describes Meera’s leadership skills and commendable confidence: “Although you’d never know it, the last thing that Meera ever wants to do is to speak in front of a group. It would be hard to ascertain that from the poise and confidence she exudes when she’s doing it, but it is purely her belief in the cause and in the importance of the event that helps her to surmount that frequent challenge with such grace.” She consistently acts above and beyond in helping others, even if that means exiting her comfort zone. Spanish teacher and Senior Advisor, Behnaz  Varamini, recognized Meera’s sustainable contributions to the community: “Meera’s service to the school community will have a lasting impact on our community long after she is gone.  I think that’s what the senior class saw in her when voting for her.”

Meera’s presence and contributions to the school are undeniable. We want to wish her good luck in her new adventures and projects that she will take on next year, and we cannot wait to see all that she accomplishes at the University of Pennsylvania.