Sophomore Lily Baumgardner has been named one of the 18 Under Eighteen honorees by Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania.
The program has “celebrated the boldest young leaders across our region – students making real impact in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities,” according to Junior Achievement’s website. Junior Achievement interviewed 36 finalists from around the region and selected 18 honorees.
History teacher Chris Reilsono nominated Baumgardner after having taught and worked with her for the past two years.
“I have had the opportunity to work with Lily since her freshman year at BHS as a class officer. and see that she has an immense amount of ability and a spark where she wants to make the world a better place, and she especially likes BHS,” Reilsono said. “So how could you not support that?”
In addition to her work with the class officers last year and this year, Baumgardner stood out for an event she organized while she was in eighth grade that highlighted successful female speakers who talked with female students about career opportunities.
“I was nominated due to my founding of Hear About Her: Women Leading the Way, a women’s empowerment event, where women came to speak to girls about their careers,” Baumgardner said. “I am bringing back Hear About Her this year on March 19. It will have a lot of opportunities for students to meet successful women.”
Reilsono has been impressed by the concept.
“She has had a lot of guest speakers to set up opportunities for women to network and build a base of support,” Reilsono said.
Bumgardner has been highly active throughout her time at Baldwin. She’s an editor on the
Purbalite, plays for the varsity tennis team, is vice president of the sophomore class, and is on the Mini-THON exec board.
“She has done a lot of activities within the school, whether it’s planning dances or class opportunities, and just all the things she’s done through the Purbalite. She has a bright future ahead,” Reilsono said.
Baldwin High School was also represented in the program last year, as Class of 2025 alum Khadicha Kosimjonova was named to that year’s 18 Under Eighteen list.
Baumgardner and this year’s other honorees will be eligible for leadership training, mentorships, internships, and scholarships. There will be a recognition ceremony at Acrisure Stadium on Feb. 3.
