Passavant Memorial Homes Foundation (PMHF) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Community Service Scholarship. This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Jamie Ellenberger, an individual served by Passavant Memorial Homes Family of Services (PMHFOS) who was an active member in the community. The principle of community is central to PMHFOS’s mission, to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and behavioral health needs to live successfully in the community.
Typically, PMHF awards one $10,000 scholarship to a student in the region who brings that same understanding of the value of community service. This year, however, PMHF decided to award $10,000 scholarships to both Ms. Nandana Menon of South Fayette High School in Allegheny County and Mr. William Lemmon of Burgettstown Area Middle/High School in Washington County.
Ms. Menon’s impressive resume includes the development of Spark, an app designed to support children with autism and their families, in collaboration with CGI and the University of Pittsburgh Autism Center of Excellence. Ms. Menon additionally led the design and implementation of a sensory-modified program at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, supporting neurodiversity inclusion for zoo visitors with aspects including sensory maps and a comfort room. She also was an advocate and workshop facilitator for the Blue Envelope Program, which supports safer interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism in Allegheny and Beaver counties by hosting training workshops and providing educational materials.
Ms. Menon is attending the University of Pittsburgh this fall where she will be studying Neuroscience.
Mr. Lemmon’s lengthy list of community service includes work with the local ALS Chapter, the Live Like Lou Foundation, the Reading Under the Stars Literacy Program, and the student Board of Directors for Club H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everyday), the community service club at his high school. Mr. Lemmon additionally volunteers extensively at his church. He is also a youth basketball and soccer coach and referee and plays basketball, which he will continue in college.
Mr. Lemmon is attending Saint Vincent College this fall where he will be double majoring in Health and Physical Education and Special Education.
This year, PMHF received 98 applications across 16 counties in western Pennsylvania.