Article Text
Two Fairfax County Public Schools graduates have earned honors for achievements reaching well beyond the classroom, from improving food access and expanding youth sports opportunities to supporting people affected by cancer.
Ethan Lee of Woodson High School received the Laura Ashley Piper Scholarship, while Vidula Bharath of Centreville High School earned the School Board Character Award.
Ethan Lee earns memorial scholarship
Lee, a member of Woodson’s Class of 2026, maintained a 4.55 grade point average, earned an A in every class and worked toward an AP Diploma.
His service included advocating for food equity, promoting sustainability, organizing food drives and distributing food to people in need. Lee also served as a founding member and director of operations at Cleats for a Cause, which provides sports equipment to children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The annual scholarship honors Laura Ashley Piper, a Robinson Secondary School graduate who represented students before county education leaders. She later became a second lieutenant in the Air Force and was killed in action over northern Iraq in April 1994. The award goes to an FCPS student who demonstrates excellence inside and outside the classroom.
Lee thanked his family, friends, teachers and counselor for their support. This fall, he will study biochemistry at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and play on its men’s soccer team. He plans to carry Piper’s example of leadership through service into his next chapter.
Vidula Bharath honored for character
Bharath, a Centreville Class of 2026 graduate, received an award recognizing one FCPS junior or senior who consistently displays integrity, strong morals and good character.
Known for kindness, honesty and compassion, she has approached challenges with resilience while taking on several community-service roles. Bharath is co-president of the Wildcats vs. Cancer Club and works as a camp counselor for Sunrise Day Camp and Capital Caring Health’s Adler Center. She also advocates for nonprofits including Leukemia Together.
Bharath thanked her family, counselor, and Centreville teachers and staff for supporting her. She will begin studying nursing at the University of Virginia this fall and hopes to continue making a positive difference in her community.
Educate Fairfax and Apple Federal Credit Union supported the student recognition programs that made the honors possible.