Oak Ridge High School student Alex Shanafield receives scholarship

The Oak Ridger
·3 min read
The people in the picture are the Chapter R STAR Team joind scholarship recipient members with Alexandra Shanafield. Pictured are Becky Hook, from left, Becky Sherrod, Shanafield, Dottie Thompson and Ann Farrar.
The people in the picture are the Chapter R STAR Team joind scholarship recipient members with Alexandra Shanafield. Pictured are Becky Hook, from left, Becky Sherrod, Shanafield, Dottie Thompson and Ann Farrar.

2022 STAR Scholarship winner, Alexandra (Alex) Shanafield, is the daughter of Harold and Jane Shanafield.

She will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in robotics.

The scholarship came from Chapter R of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), according to a news release. P.E.O "believes in helping women reach for the stars." Chapter R has been instrumental in awarding $12,500 in STAR scholarships to outstanding Oak Ridge High School senior women in the past five years.

Chapter R was particularly impressed with Shanafield's initiative to participate and excel in academics, athletics, robotics and community service, a release stated. A National Merit Semi-Finalist, Alex has earned all A’s since middle school. In her freshman year, she received Microsoft certification in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Her senior thesis, conducted with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, involved programming for self-driving model race cars.

Shanafield has been elevated to leadership positions in every organization she has joined and is continually recognized by her mentors and peers for her dedication and skills in working with others. She served on the Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board, where the board planned and executed events for teens and their families.

Shanafield has a boundless quest for learning and a passion for sharing her knowledge and mentoring others, the release stated.

“I have had wonderful mentors and opportunities to learn. I want to continue learning and sharing my knowledge to help others,” she stated in the news release.

“Alex is a phenomenal student and peer leader. She is insightful and dedicated to understanding the material and not simply getting the grade,” her calculus teacher stated in the news release.

Shanafield loves tutoring math and enjoys watching her students’ joy as they finally understand a difficult concept, according to a .

“Alex has an incredible passion for robotics and programming, which is exemplified by her mentoring of young girls in our community as part of ORCS Girls and First Lego league. My daughter has been impacted by Alex’s amazing work with these organizations as she works to inspire the next generation,” her advanced placement math teacher stated.

“Just as Alex rapidly switches between completing electrical, mechanical, and community outreach tasks, she also takes it upon herself to bounce back and forth amongst her fellow robotics teammates to ensure that each student has the best experience possible,” her robotics mentor stated in the news release.

"Alex exemplifies true STAR qualities. Her leadership, intelligence, inquisitiveness, drive, and compassion will ensure her future success," the news release stated.

Previous Chapter R STAR Scholarship winners include Jina Jiang (2021), Melody Guo (2020), Jasleen Narula (2019), and Jordan Henegar (2018). A STAR Scholarship recipient has to be recommended by a local P.E.O. chapter and must exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success. She must plan to attend an accredited educational institution, either full or part-time, in the fall following high school graduation. Each chapter may submit one applicant per year for this prestigious international scholarship. Applications are reviewed and awarded on an international basis. As part of the application process, the applicant is interviewed locally, and she must complete an essay. In addition, she must provide information documenting activities, provide two personal references and submit a high school transcript. More information regarding the STAR Scholarship can be found on the P.E.O. International website https://www.peointernational.org/ or by contacting any local Chapter R member. Application information is also available from the ORHS Guidance Department.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Oak Ridge High School student Alex Shanafield receives scholarship