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Madison Roberts-Maddrey ’22 Selected for Widener University Leadership Award

The Girard College Junior earned a $20,000 scholarship for her ability to inspire positive change through activism.

At a virtual awards ceremony on March 26, 2021, Madison Roberts-Maddrey, a junior at Girard College High School, received the Widener University High School Leadership Award in recognition for her outstanding leadership and commitment to social justice.

The awards, founded in 2011 through a partnership between Widener and NBC10, recognize high school students from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware who embody the traits of a great leader: the ability to stand up for what is right and make an impact in their communities.

If Madison chooses to enroll at Widener, she will take part in the university’s prestigious Apogee Leadership Scholars program and receive a $20,000 scholarship over four years. Apogee Scholars also take part in four years of leadership programming and earn a Widener Leadership Certificate.

“I’m so honored to be selected for a Leadership Award from Widener University,” says Madison. “I strive to be a leader by stepping up when help is needed and speaking out for what I know is right.”

Madison is an outstanding student at Girard College, having been inducted to the National Honor Society as a sophomore. Last year, she co-founded Black Teens Takeover with a group of high school students who were inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement to bring justice and peace to their communities. The group has organized fundraisers for Black-owned businesses and sponsored toy drives for children throughout Philadelphia.

“Madison is an amazing person,” said A.J. Ernst, Dean of High School at Girard College. “She leads by example and fights for what she believes in. Like many of our students here at Girard, she’s learning how to live a life of social impact, and we’re all extremely proud of her.”

Madison will have plenty of opportunities to chart the next steps in her education, and is currently considering entering the medical field because of her love for helping people. No matter where the future takes her, she’ll be leading the way and making a difference.

For more information regarding the High School Leadership Awards and to view a complete list of winners, visit www.widener.edu/about/campus-community-resources/oskin-leadership-institute/high-school-leadership-awards

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