July 11, 2022 – The Chatham Emergency Squad is pleased to announce that it has selected
recent Chatham High School graduate and Chatham Emergency Squad member Risha Surana as
its 2022 recipient of the Squad’s annual scholarship award.
Established in 2014 by Christine Grobert, a teacher at the Lafayette School, while serving as
President of the Chatham Emergency Squad (2014, 2015), this annual award is presented to a
Chatham High School student who has been committed to volunteerism and/or has displayed
an interest in the field of medicine or science. In 2020, the name of this scholarship was
officially renamed in honor of Christine Grobert’s 21 years of dedicated service to the Chatham
Emergency Squad, where she held numerous positions.
Surana will continue her education at the University of Southern California where she will join
2021 CHS graduate and fellow CES Scholarship award winner, Claire Silverstein. Surana plans to
study Computer Science and Linguistics. As a member of the Class of 2020 Cadet class at the
Chatham Emergency Squad, Surana not only navigated successfully through the challenges of
being a cadet during COVID, she was also a regular contributor to The Dispatch, the Squad’s
monthly newsletter, writing the “Cadet Corner” for each issue. In addition, she spent several
weeks sorting through thousands of Squad photos which she will scan into a digital archive this
summer. This project dovetailed with Surana’s “secret” wish to work at a library and organize to
her heart’s content.
Commenting on Surana’s selection, Grobert said “Chatham has no shortage of exceptional
youth. Every year our scholarship committee is in awe of the drive, character, and commitment
of our applicants. This year was no exception. We are so proud to award Risha with our
scholarship. She epitomizes a selfless commitment to her friends, family, and community,
tackling challenges head on with compassion and determination. We’re honored to be able to
award this scholarship to such an amazing young lady.”
“Our cadets never cease to amaze us with their skills, interests, contributions and capabilities
and Risha is the perfect example of that,” said Steve Davenport, President of the Chatham
Emergency Squad. “As a member of the Monday day crew for two years and a valuable
contributor to the Squad’s history archive and newsletter, Risha has brought together her
various interests in ways that have truly benefited the Squad. This award isn’t automatically
given to an eligible Squad member, so we are thrilled with her selection as the 2022 recipient of
the Christine K. Grobert Chatham Emergency Squad Scholarship Award.”
About The Chatham Emergency Squad
The Chatham Emergency Squad is an all-volunteer organization funded nearly exclusively by
donations and never charges for its services. The Squad provides stand-by support for community events, such as the Chatham Turkey Trot, Fishawack, and school athletic events. The Squad also provides free CPR training to residents, teachers, coaches, school crossing
guards and emergency personnel, including fire and police. New members are welcome. To
learn more, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.chathamemergencysquad.org.
