What You Need To Know
Panther Creek High School student Sai Maradugu created FYBY Inc., a tutoring program for school work and SATs
Maradugu has amassed more than 600 hours of volunteering
He's also the president and founder of Panther Creek High School's finance and economics club
Maradugu will attend either IU, UVA or UNC
Panther Creek High School student Sai Maradugu has consistently done that for his peers in and outside of class time. That’s why Maradugu is now the Spectrum High School Scholar of the week.
Maradugu said he starts almost every school day about the same in his final semester of high school. He told Spectrum News 1 he has to — if he wants to avoid senioritis, a common onset of non-viral symptoms many soon-to-be college goers experience as they are preparing to graduate from high school.
“I feel like it’s tough right now because you do lose a lot of motivation. You already know you are going to college," Maradugu said.
He will either attend the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina or Indiana University this coming fall.
Four years of hard work at PCHS paid off after being a part of several extracurricular activities. In June of 2020, the senior created a tutoring program during the pandemic called ‘For Young By Young’ to help students across the country. The goal was to offer assistance with classwork through various guidance and to prepare interested youngsters for SATs.
In an interview in January 2021, Founder & CEO of FYBY Inc. said: “Our number one priority is to make sure that students receive free and quality tutoring."
By creating an easy to navigate website for middle and high schoolers, Sai Maradugu certainly did that. Through his company, he has also been able to help seven schools in India with underprivileged children.
Before he walks across the stage in his tassel and gown, the first-generation American will have amassed more than 600 hours volunteering. All of these combined efforts earned the 17-year-old the right to call himself a HSS.
The award was presented by Democratic State Representative from Wake County Gale Adcock.
In a presentation recorded at his home, Rep. Gale Adcock said, “You have given away your talent and your drive to help others. So I am thrilled to be here today on behalf of Spectrum News to give you this scholarship.”
The scholarship will be worth $1,000 and will go toward his tuition this fall.
An honor his mother, Bhargavi Maradugu, and father, Sri Maradugu, said they truly cherished. After all, they said it’s why they immigrated to America from India 15 years ago.
“We were always worried about making sure he got the best education and best opportunities like (the) American Dream," Sri Maradugu said. "He showed his hard work. It’s really amazing how things are working out and he’s helping not only studying for himself, he’s helping others. That’s really a big, big thing for us.”
His mother has seen the fruits of her son’s labors over time.
“It feels very great. I am so thrilled. He worked so hard these last two years to put a lot of time and effort into his studies. He always thinks about ways to help people. I try to help him achieve his dreams," Bhargavi Maradugu said.
Organization is key for this philanthropist. The President and Founder of the PCHS Finance and Economics club believes team work makes his dreams work.
"I also want to create the most impact. I like people, seeing other people succeed. Not just me, and I think that kind makes (me) who I am. I personally just don’t like achieving just (for) myself. I want other people to achieve too,” he said.
Which brings us back to him starting every day with a purpose by following the work ethic instilled into him by his parents.
“I should keep on continuing. I should keep on going on the grind and just good results will come when you follow on that path,” Sai Maradugu said.
Sai Maradugu will graduate with well above a 4.0 GPA this spring. He said he plans on continuing to run his nonprofit in college.