Hillsborough Girl Scout Honored For Project Focusing On Understanding Autistic Peers

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Girl Scout Meghana Gandavabi was honored by the Township Committee for completing her Gold Award project that focused on how the community has a responsibility to understand autistic peers effectively.

Mayor John Ciccarelli presented Gandavabi with a proclamation during the Jan. 14 Township Committee meeting.

"Meghana serves as an example to the youth of Hillsborough Township through her achievements, leadership, and community service. We are very proud that Meghana is a member of our community," according to the proclamation.

Gandavabi, a graduate of Hillsborough High School and a freshman at Pratt University majoring in 2D Animation, was a member of Girl Scout Troop 60640 and recently earned her Gold Award.

For her Gold Award, she assembled a project team wherein autistic adolescents worked with their neurotypical peers. The observations were then presented to the public in a video. The project took 83 hours to complete with a team of five members.

She previously completed her Silver Award project focusing on the Alzheimer’s community in 2019 and organized a Diwali food drive from 2020 to 2024.

"The Mayor and the Hillsborough Township Committee, do hereby recognize and extend our sincere congratulations to Meghana Gandavabi for having earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, an honor for both her and for those who have guided her," according to the proclamation. "We wish Meghana all the best in her future endeavors."

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.