Robbinsville High School senior Megana Madhurakavi is the winner of a $20,000 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholarship Foundation for her leadership in the field of sustainability.
There were 150 high school seniors from around the country, including seven from New Jersey, selected for the scholarship out of more than 107,000 applicants. It was awarded to those who have exemplified superior leadership, service and academics, acting as change agents to positively affect others in their communities.
All winners advanced through multiple qualifying rounds, comprising a mix of essays and interviews. The focus of these rounds was to get to the heart of “why” these young leaders do what they do, not simply “what.”
Madhurakavi will join her fellow winners this April in Atlanta, where they will attend the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend to partake in leadership development activities and hear from inspiring keynote speakers.
“I am honored and grateful to have been chosen for this scholarship,” Madhurakavi said. “I look forward to meeting so many ambitious and goal-driven individuals looking to make a difference in the world at April’s summit.”
Even at her young age, Madhurakavi already has a strong track record of leadership in the field of sustainability. She founded her sustainable fashion company, LIILA, at just 15 years old, and has since achieved great recognition for the environmental advocacy done by the brand.
LIILA puts ethics at the forefront of every decision, from manufacturing all the way to shipping, Madhurakavi said. This includes using sustainable materials, supporting fair labor practices and delivering items in biodegradable packaging.
The company last year received the Sustainability Impact for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Award from the Social Impact Investment Foundation and the U.N., which “recognizes and celebrates organizations and initiatives that demonstrate outstanding achievements in sustainability and corporate responsibility.”
Madhurakavi is the youngest business owner to have ever received the award, contest organizers said.
In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Madhurakavi sits on FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council, which brings together some of the brightest young minds in the country to involve them in disaster response planning.
She was also named the “Top Emerging Innovator for 2025” by Horn Entrepreneurship.
The most rewarding part about the journey for Madhurakavi has been educating her peers about why she’s doing what she’s doing and helping them make sustainability-driven decisions.
“I have friends that come up to me all the time and tell me that they’re buying this or that product instead of a mass-produced version because they’re inspired by what I do with my brand,” she said. “Seeing the real-world impact of my efforts first-hand has been so inspiring and encourages me to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Madhurakavi plans to study economics and sustainability in college, combining her two passions and giving her the tools needed to continue growing her business.
“Megana is an incredibly accomplished student and entrepreneur, and we are pleased she was recognized by Coca-Cola for her leadership amongst her peers,” Robbinsville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Pizzo said. “We know she will continue to do great things past high school, and we look forward to seeing what she achieves.”
