Roshni Shibad, a junior at High School South and a member of the National and Mathematics honor societies, recently earned her Girl Scout Gold Award for her project on Lupus Awareness. She is a member of Troop 70672 and her leader is Cheryl Rowe Rendleman. Her project advisor is Dr. Jon Burnham, a rheumatologist with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Shibad used her 16th birthday as a platform to raise funds for the Lupus Foundation of America. “I wanted to make the people of our community aware of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, so they can look out for certain symptoms, or be more helpful and understanding if they encounter a person with Lupus,” she says.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder. The immune system that protects and fights against anything that is “non-self” loses its ability to distinguish “non-self” from “self” and attacks healthy tissue and cells, which leads to inflammation in the kidneys, heart, and lungs. There is no cure.
Shibad’s goal was to make more people informed about Lupus and urge those suffering from common Lupus symptoms to visit their doctor before it becomes severe. She also explained how early diagnosis and detection can help prevent major organ damage and even death.
She coordinated Lupus awareness booths at West Windsor Farmers’ Market, Plainsboro Founders’ Day, and High School South’s Science Fair. With the help of Carol Quick, assistant director of Plainsboro Library, she created Lupus Awareness Month at the library last August. Shibad provided Plainsboro Library with free informational literature along with a DVD that was played throughout the month on a large screen in the health education center. She also set up information booths in the lobby several times and met with patrons to help inform them about the disorder.
“Roshni conducted herself in a mature and easy going manner, while she shared her first-hand knowledge about Lupus,” says Quick. “The program she put together was well done and presented in an interesting way. She was passionate and knowledgeable. She put a lot of thought and work into the project.”
Shibad also created a website (www.lupusawareness.webs.com) featuring information about Lupus and her project. She also created a Facebook group inviting people to every event that she had.
Her parents, Plainsboro residents since 2003, are Rajesh Shibad and Shabnam Shibad. A Girl Scout for six years, Roshni earned her silver award for creating “Bollywood Dance Fusion.”
Roshni said the most successful aspect of her project was her outreach to several hundred people, ranging from adolescents to senior citizens, who were not aware of the disorder. “With this project, I may have educated only a few hundred people of the community, but I know now that even this much makes a difference,” she says. “I will continue sharing my knowledge of Lupus in the coming years.”
Megha Shah, a Plainsboro resident and a junior at High School South, has earned her Girl Scout Gold Award for her project, the Tile Mosaic Camp. Shah is also involved with the American Red Cross, president of A2Z Mentoring program, and a cadet for the Plainsboro Rescue Squad.
Shah’s project featured a mosaic art camp at Rock Brook School, a school for children with mental or physical disabilities. Students created a mosaic mural that is now permanently installed on the school walls. She introduced the children to new methods of art and inspired them to reach beyond the barriers of their disabilities. “Disabilities are just challenges, that if handled properly, can only open more doors in a child’s life,” says Shah.
The four-week program introduced the students to mosaic picture frames, mosaic sun catchers, Aztec facemasks, and self-portraits. The camp culminated with a final tile mural that is now mounted on one of the school’s walls for everyone to enjoy. “I wanted the children to be able to see their success at every corner,” says Shah. “I also wanted the world to see the beautiful abilities of these disabled children every day.”
“The students really enjoyed the art activities and making their own tiles for the mural,” says Mary Caterson, director of Rock Brook. “They have a sense of pride when they see the mural and can pick out their own tile and tell others about it.”
The students received a half hour of mosaic class every day. “The art projects seemed to transform these kids,” says Shah. “The best part was the last five minutes of every class, when each child showed off their projects to the class. Their smiles were priceless.”
Shah financed her project through troop funds, the 2011 Hollywood Dance Night fundraiser, a donation from Home Depot, and contributions from her family.
“My family is my support system. My mom, Jayashri Shah, continually encourages me to follow through on my crazy ideas — no matter how impossible,” says Shah. “Whereas my dad, Jatin Shah, always kept me focused, realistic, and pragmatic so that my project would be a success. My sister, Jamie Shah, was my right-hand girl whenever I needed her. And finally, my project advisor and troop leader, Louisa Ho, kept me organized, and determined to make my project a reality.”
