Westminster School Senior Recognized for Health Innovation

Teagan Stedman, a senior at Westminster School and a resident of Farmington, has been awarded a $25,000 AXA Achievement Scholarship by the financial protection company AXA for his leadership in health innovations.

Through the AXA Achievement Program, 369 students representing all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the local communities where AXA operates were awarded a one-time scholarship in the amount of $25,000, $10,000 or $2,500 for demonstrated exemplary leadership skills and a commitment to making a positive contribution to the world. The students, known as AXA Achievers, were recognized for driving awareness and innovation in such areas as general community outreach, health innovations, financial literacy and environmental protection. Additionally, every scholarship recipient’s high school will receive a grant for $1,000 to be used for educational development.

At Westminster School, Stedman takes a rigorous course of study, earning high honors and recognition as a National AP Scholar. He serves as co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, is a member of the jazz band and a school music group, is president of the Connecticut Forum Club, serves in student government and is co-captain of Westminster’s cross-country, swimming and diving, and track and field teams.

Outside of Westminster, Stedman is the founder and CEO of Shred Kids’ Cancer, a 501c3 nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to raising awareness about pediatric cancer and raising funds to combat it. The organization has held more than 25 events, raised more than $400,000 and funded nine pediatric cancer clinical trials. Stedman has served as a research intern in a laboratory at UConn Health Center, where he was able to pursue his idea for a novel drug delivery concept for better targeting cancer therapy. He is writing a manuscript and is co-author of scientific papers on the work. Stedman will be attending Harvard College and plans to study bioengineering and biomedical engineering with a goal to earn a Ph.D. and focus on developing cancer treatment modes.

Stedman is the recipient of numerous awards including medalist at the Connecticut State Science and Engineering Fair; the TEDx, Adobe and SAP “Next Big Thing” award; World of Children Award Youth Honoree; Jefferson Award Foundation Globe Changer; among many others.