Navya George grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and is a second-generation Indian American. During her senior year at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School, she learned about the Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund Scholarship from the School District of Philadelphia’s website. Before starting college, Navya was selected as a Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund Scholar in the fall of 2014. She chose to further her education at the University of the Sciences, where she is currently studying Biomedical Sciences on a Pre-Medical track. Navya’s Pre-Medical Society track consists of lectures, workshops, and field trips that provide both practical and experiential learning that fosters a camaraderie with other Pre-Medical students.
During the first semester of college in fall 2014, Navya joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship program and was matched with a little sister who will be a 7th grader in the fall. Navya visits her once a week at her West Philadelphia Elementary School. Their invaluable time together includes activities, such as playing board games, outdoor recreational activities, playing the piano, and tutoring for challenging classes.
Navya is also the treasurer of Circle K International, a service organization on campus that brings community volunteer projects to life. This organization has given Navya opportunities to volunteer at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk and soup kitchen events.
Volunteering is very important to Navya and she has been involved with a variety of meaningful service projects since starting college. In the summer of 2016, Navya volunteered at an orphanage in Kerala, India called Aswasa Bhavan. Aswasa Bhavan is part of the non-profit organization called Corrections India, whose mission is to care for the children of prisoners and aims for correction through moral teachings. Navya spent her time there playing with the children, teaching them English songs and games, and helping them with chores and cleaning. Last summer, Navya also spent some time volunteering at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the Neuroscience unit. This led Navya to her current volunteer opportunity in the Intensive Care Unit. Her volunteer service at the University of Pennsylvania mostly consists of doing secretarial work with patient charts, checking out discharged patients, answering call bells, and ensuring that patients needs are fulfilled. Navya volunteers at the Somerton Interfaith Food Bank every month to help sort food.
Navya stated, The Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund Scholarship means a lot to me and is very helpful for my financial needs in college. I am so appreciative and grateful for it. The Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund will continue to support Navya and her efforts to graduate from college and continue her lifelong pursuit of making a difference in the lives of others