Rao Chitneni Memorial Scholarship

Rao V. (Ashok) Chitneni was born on July 18, 1953 in Kakinada, India. The oldest of three sons, he spent the majority of his childhood in Hyderabad, India before moving to the United States at the age of 24. He received an MBA from Wagner College in New York. In 1981, he married Shobha Katikineni and they both migrated permanently to the U.S. two years later. They have lived in the Quad Cities since 1994.

He enjoyed traveling, nature, music, and astronomy. He was an active member of the Indian community. Most recently he worked in real estate and construction. He was a doting and devoted husband and father. His friends remember him as a gentle-hearted man with a sweet smile. His daughters will never forget the fact that he was unable to hurt even a bug.

Rao (Ashok) passed away in his sleep on July 2, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Shobha and his 3 daughters, Pooja, Divya, and Theja. All three girls have received their education from Pleasant Valley Community School District. Pooja graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 2002, and graduated from Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City in 2012. Divya graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 2008 and studied at Drake University in Des Moines. Theja is graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 2012. Family greatly appreciates all the support and warmth of their friends and community. They wish to thank friends and family who helped in establishing a scholarship in memory of Rao V. Chitneni for graduating high school seniors to pursue their dream of higher education.

Criteria to Apply:

• Be a graduating senior at PVHS
• Plan to attend a four-year college/university and have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA
• A well-rounded student having been active in multiple extra-curricular activities with special consideration given to someone who has overcome an obstacle

Scholarship Personal Statement/Essay:

• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us why you've chosen your field of study.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us what your plans are after your post-secondary education is complete.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us about one of the following: your ability to problem solve, work with others, and/or your dedication to the community.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us how you've overcome an obstacle.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us anything else about yourself you think the selection committee would like to know.

*If you choose to attend an educational institution that does not meet the criteria for this scholarship, your scholarship may be revoked.

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Past Scholarship Recipients