BETHLEHEM, Pa. — This year’s winners of the annual BASD Superintendent’s Scholarship to attend Moravian University are two hardworking, humble teens who want to change the world through science.
Bethlehem Area School District seniors Dunya Atra, 17, and Shanice Painton, 18, were announced as the awardees Thursday.
Each will get a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to study biology at the private Bethlehem university, which was founded in 1742 and has its roots in the Moravian Church.
“We’re also looking for somebody who’s going to really live up to that Moravian mission, the BASD community mission and throw themselves into it and be a great representative of both organizations."Superintendent Jack Silva
The BASD Superintendent’s Scholarship is in its 10th year. Every spring, one senior from each of BASD's two high schools — Freedom and Liberty — is selected by the superintendent and representatives from Moravian to receive the award.
The scholarship only covers tuition — not fees, housing or living expenses. Moravian’s 2025-26 undergraduate tuition is $53,120 a year.
Superintendent Jack Silva said both Atra and Painton stood out as applicants because of their academic success and their interviews with him.
“We’re also looking for somebody who’s going to really live up to that Moravian mission, the BASD community mission and throw themselves into it and be a great representative of both organizations,” Silva said.
Moravian University President Bryon Grigsby said the school has long partnered with BASD.
Grigsby also said Moravian has always had a “radical” belief in the power of education, extending access to marginalized groups.
When the Moravians settled in Bethlehem, they started the first school in the continental United States to educate girls.
“Moravians believe that no society could be successful without education,” he said.
This year’s scholarship winners are dedicated to their education and community.
Atra and Painton both said they’re grateful for the opportunity to attend Moravian and want to make their communities proud over the next four years.
Dunya Atra
Atra, a Freedom High School senior, said she hopes to become a pediatrician. At Moravian, she will study biology on the pre-medicine track and minor in psychology.
Atra said she has always loved science and wants to become a doctor in part because of her experiences helping her father, who has a physical disability.
“I can’t teach empathy, and I can’t teach bedside manners. And that is what I noticed from Dunya early on.”Jenifer Stilgenbauer, Bethlehem Area VTS health careers instructor
Throughout high school, Atra has attended Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, where she is part of the health careers program.
Through the program’s co-op, Atra works as a radiology tech aide at St. Luke’s University Health Network’s emergency room in Fountain Hill. She transports and assists patients, among other duties.
“I’ve experienced so many new things,” Atra said. “It’s definitely different from learning from a textbook when you get real life experiences.”
Jenifer Stilgenbauer, BAVTS health careers instructor, said Atra has excelled in her class and has the right disposition for a career in medicine.
“I can’t teach empathy, and I can’t teach bedside manners,” Stilgenbauer said. “And that is what I noticed from Dunya early on.”
Atra recently won a scholarship through BAVTS to take an adult education course on phlebotomy — the process of drawing blood from a patient.
Atra also participated in Project Lead the Way, a biomedical science course, throughout high school.
When she attends Moravian next school year, Atra will be able to focus on her studies without working multiple jobs just to afford tuition, she said.
“It was a great relief.”
Shanice Painton
Painton, a Liberty High School senior, hopes to work in a lab one day, conducting medical or environmental research, she said. That’s why she plans to study biology at Moravian.
“I just saw how amazing biology is and how it’s related to almost everything in the world,” Painton said.
“Science is a tool that can be used to solve so many of our problems in society. I just want to be able to harness that and use it.”
“It’s really helpful, and I’m thankful for this honor and the trust people are putting in me. I want to live up to those expectations.”Shanice Painton
Painton said she became interested in biology in part thanks to her ninth-grade science teacher, Melissa Waldron. The two have developed a special bond, they said.
“Shanice is not the one that’s going to be the loudest in the room, she’s not the one that’s going to draw the attention to [herself], except when she’s curious,” Waldron said.
She said Painton always spoke up when she had questions in class or an answer to share.
Throughout high school, Painton has also participated in Liberty’s environmental sustainability club, sharing information on climate change with her fellow students and encouraging them to recycle.
“She wants to be a change agent,” Waldron said.
Thanks to the BASD Superintendent’s Scholarship, Painton won’t have to take out loans for her schooling or work a part-time job, she said.
The scholarship has reduced her stress about college, she said.
“It’s really helpful, and I’m thankful for this honor and the trust people are putting in me,” she said. “I want to live up to those expectations.”
