Seneca Valley senior receives Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award

Chatham University has awarded Seneca Valley senior Gretchen Kellar with the Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award. This award honors Chatham alumna and environmental icon Rachel Carson, ’29, and is presented to one deserving student from each high school across the country who is passionate and committed to improving the environment and their community through sustainability.

This prestigious award offers Miss Kellar a $5,000 per year renewable scholarship to Chatham University, a certificate of accomplishment and a special edition of Rachel Carson’s seminal work, Silent Spring. In addition, Miss Kellar will receive priority consideration for Chatham University’s Carson Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship to attend Chatham University.

“I am honored to receive the Rachel Carson Healthy Planet award. I would like to thank Ms. Hadley and my parents Laura and Karl Kellar for inspiring my interest in the environment,” said Miss Kellar.

Miss Kellar was nominated for the Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award last school year by her biology teacher, Ms. Dana Hadley.

“Gretchen came to mind when thinking about a deserving nominee for this award because she has a passion for biology and wildlife and is an example of a person with a unique perspective on the environment. She’s a member of the biology club where students study and prepare after school for Envirothon, a national environmental and wildlife competition for high school students. Gretchen is consistent in her attendance and participation in the club and is a leader by example,” stated Ms. Hadley. “She’s also been surrounded by a family business where horticulture and farming are integral to success. Gretchen understands the value we get from the land but also has a perspective and interest in ecology and conservation. Young people like Gretchen will be the keys to finding solutions to current environmental problems.”