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Balaji Awarded NOBLE Scholarship

Photo courtesy NOBLE
Puja Balaji, a member of San Marino High School’s class of 2020, was the recipient of a scholarship from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement’s San Gabriel Valley Chapter.

Puja Balaji, a member of San Marino High School’s class of 2020, recently received a scholarship from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement’s chapter in the San Gabriel Valley.
During the past years, NOBLE-SGV has overseen the distribution of more than $30,000 to high school students across the region. And though the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the organization’s annual scholarship breakfast this year, NOBLE-SGV nevertheless was able to award $1,000 scholarships to 12 students, thanks to the benevolence and support of its members and sponsors.
Balaji will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall and will major in computer science and molecular biology with hopes of being a computational biologist. She recently received a scholarship from the San Marino Historical Society, the school’s award for outstanding achievement in math and science and the CIF Athletic Recognition Award.
While at SMHS, Balaji ran cross-country and track all four years and played soccer for three years. She has also received the cross-country most valuable player award, the coach’s award, the CIF’s Spirit of Sport Award and the Jack Bradford Award, which is presented to the toughest runner.
The daughter of Srividya Balaji and Balaji Krishnamurthy, Puja has a brother, Girish, who graduated from SMHS in 2015 and earned a degree in electrical engineering and computer sciences at UC Berkeley in 2019.
Earlier this month, the NOBLE-SGV executive board and scholarship committee traveled to each recipient’s home and presented their scholarship checks. Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education member Michelle Richardson Bailey and Tournament of Roses and John Muir High School Alumni Association member Jill Hawkins took part in the presentations. Burbank police Deputy Chief Mike Albanese — a longtime NOBLE-SGV supporter — also participated, presenting the scholarship he and his command staff personally funded the past few years.
NOBLE-SGV has long embraced a role as “the conscience of law enforcement,” according to a statement, and its San Gabriel Valley Chapter has carried out the mission through outreach programs that not only educate but nurture, strengthen and validate youth.

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