LEHIGH VALLEY, Pennsylvania – June 4, 2026 – The Andrew Budraitis Foundation is pleased to announce Juliana Joseph as the recipient of its 2026 Lehigh Valley High School Graduate Scholarship. Joseph is a 2026 graduate of Northampton Area High School.
Joseph has enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a rigorous program from which she anticipates graduating in the spring of 2030. Drawn to the discipline by a lifelong love of building, problem-solving, and scientific inquiry, she has described mechanical engineering as the ideal intersection of theoretical physics and hands-on application.
Beyond her degree, Joseph plans to earn a Professional Engineer (PE) license and a Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) certification, and to pursue a graduate degree in a related engineering field. Ultimately, Joseph aspires to work toward a career at NASA as an engineer or an astronaut, drawing professional inspiration from women in STEM such as NASA astronaut Christina Koch.
“Mechanical engineers make the world go round because they create anything and everything anyone could think of. I love the theoretical, sometimes incomprehensible side of physics, and also the hands-on aspect of engineering — which is why mechanical engineering would be perfect for me.”
— Juliana Joseph, 2026 Scholarship Recipient
Outside the classroom, Joseph has pursued an impressive range of extracurricular activities. As President of the National Honor Society, she leads 76 members and spearheads fundraising for local charities. As Secretary of the Pennsylvania Science Olympiad team, she helped the team earn 1st place in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, with top finishes in events including Codebusters and Circuit Lab. A Co-captain of Varsity Cross Country and a three-time District qualifier, she has shown the same discipline and perseverance on the course that she brings to her studies. Through Kids Konnect, she volunteers with autistic support students and assists with the Special Olympics.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the applicants who demonstrated their passion and dedication through their impressive applications.
Thank you to our generous donors and supporters, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your invaluable contributions.
The Andrew Budraitis Foundation Scholarship is a committee-coordinated scholarship fund established at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation in 2022. The Andrew Budraitis Foundation is a component fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity.