10-03-2024 7:10pm

Kings HS Grad Earns Scholarship for Youth Philanthropy Efforts

Beth Callahan Editor

(Submitted Photo)Roger Grein, Founder of Magnified Giving, and Keren Palaparty after receiving her award on stage at the Magnified Giving Fall Dinner on September 17th.

KINGS MILL, OH -- Keren Palaparty, a recent graduate of Kings High School, Ohio, received the 2024 Bill Keating Jr. Next Gen Award presented by Magnified Giving. This $2,500 scholarship award is granted annually to a rising young philanthropist who embodies the spirit of the late Bill Keating Jr., a former board member of Magnified Giving known for his kindness, passion for community engagement, and drive to give the next generation a voice.

While $1,500 of the scholarship will be applied to Palaparty’s higher education, $1,000 will be used for a service project or a donation to a nonprofit of her choice.

Palaparty participated in Magnified Giving’s Youth Philanthropy Program for 3 years through the Kings High School Community Service Club, advised by Kings educator Tracy Goldie. During that time, she served as President of the club, creating diverse service opportunities that encouraged participation in community service projects.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Palaparty and her peers raised funds for Cancer Family Care and The Cloth Option. Her research related to the mission of The Cloth Option contributed to her growing passion to help end period poverty, the inability to afford menstrual products and other important hygiene products. To that end, Palaparty developed Project Whisper, a supply drive supported by local churches and her community college to address the lack of menstrual products for underprivileged women.

On September 17th, Palaparty attended Magnified Giving’s Fall Dinner in Blue Ash, OH, to receive her scholarship and share remarks pertaining to the theme of the event, “Giving is Good.” Her award was presented by Liz Keating, Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy for the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, and daughter of Bill Keating Jr.

Palaparty shared, “Magnified Giving has instilled a sense of profound ambition and confidence in my life. From a shy student transitioning to my sophomore year of high school, after being online from COVID-19, it was difficult to become involved in my community. However, I learned the true value of service and came out of my shell.” Palaparty plans to continue her philanthropy journey and her advocacy for women’s issues and public health by serving with organizations like Tidal Babe Period Bank and Girls Health Period as she attends the University of Cincinnati this fall.

About Magnified Giving

Magnified Giving is a 501(c)(3) educational organization based in Evendale, Ohio, USA, with partner schools and community organizations in greater Cincinnati, central Ohio, northeast Ohio, and northern Kentucky. Magnified Giving’s mission is to educate, inspire, and engage students in philanthropy, and to touch the hearts and minds of teens, lighten the concerns of others, and magnify the impact of philanthropy. By engaging youth in service, advocacy, and grant-making, Magnified Giving has granted more than $1,780,416 to recipient nonprofit agencies through the hands of youth. The program has included more than 45,108 youth who have learned how to evaluate and support nonprofit agencies and developed a heart for giving. To learn more about Magnified Giving, please visit www.magnifiedgiving.org.