EDISON, CA (TIP): : Two Indian American girls, Rhea Jethvani and Monica Pal are among 30 high school seniors in Southern California Edison’s service area named 2022 Edison Scholars by one of America’s largest electric utility holding companies. Edison International will award a total of $1.2 million in scholarships intended to help these students pursue science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) studies, according to a press release.

Jethvani, a student of Oxford Academy, Cypress, California plans to dedicate herself to cybersecurity safety to protect her community and spread awareness of this danger. She led a team in creating IOTAnet, a centralized security management platform, which placed in the top five finalists of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs’ Apps for Digital Peace Competition.

Jethvani is also co-founder of her school’s first Hackathon Learnathon, where she hosted the Basics of Cryptography workshop to highlight the importance of password encryption.

“My pursuit of applying cybersecurity skills to help build a more resistant society is just beginning and I’m excited to protect my community from the evolving danger,” she says. Jethvani plans to major in computer science.

Pal of San Joaquin High School studied computer science all four years in high school and has plans to continue in college. Pal credits her goal of pursuing a degree in computer science to her two mentors: her mother, a former chemistry professor, who has supported and inspired women in science, and her cousin, currently completing his medical residency, who has mentored and advised Monica with programming skills. She too plans to major in computer science. “Congratulations to the 2022 Edison Scholars. They represent a diverse group of exceptional students who plan to pursue studies in STEM fields and create a better world,” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. “My teammates and I are very proud that Edison International provides this support for deserving students. I wish them success in college and look forward to seeing how they plan to use their education. Our industry can certainly use their passion and commitment as we work toward a clean energy future that is equitable and affordable for everyone.” Each Edison Scholar will receive a $40,000 scholarship, paid over four years, to further their academic pursuit of STEM fields at a four-year accredited US college or university. All thirty Edison scholars will be celebrated at a reception held at SCE Headquarters on May 6, 2022. Since 2006, 730 high school seniors have earned more than $13.5 million in scholarships through the Edison Scholars Program.