Therese Gasser, a 2025 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School, has been selected to receive a $2,500 Star Scholarship from P.E.O., a Philanthropic Educational Organization.

She was recommended by Chapter BB, Allentown.

She is the daughter of Kim Vu and Andrew Gasser, of Schnecksville.

The P.E.O. Star Scholarship was established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional women in their final year of high school who plan to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the next academic year.

The Star Scholarship is a highly competitive, merit based award for young women who exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success.

Gasser is an excellent student who enjoys working with special needs students at Allentown’s Mercy School for Special Learning through the high school’s Best Friends Forever club.

She is also a buddy and board member for Camelot for Children, an organization that provides the “magic of childhood” for ill children and their healthy siblings.

In addition, Gasser participated in her school’s Science Olympiad where she earned Most Valuable Player for her work in robotics.

Gasser is a gifted violinist and, after highly competitive auditions, she was invited to join the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra where she also mentors younger violinists.

She has chosen to pursue a vocation with the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J.

Her first step in her journey to become a nun is attendance at Assumption College for Sisters where she will earn an Associate degree in liberal arts and theology.

It is her goal to eventually earn a degree in biology followed by a higher degree and a career in occupational therapy.

P.E.O. has been helping women achieve their educational goals for more than 150 years.

Since its inception in 1869, the nonprofit organization has helped more than 129,000 women pursue their educational goals by providing over $462 million in grants, scholarships, awards and loans.

What started as a bond of friendship among seven women in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is now one of the oldest women’s organizations in North America, with close to 5,800 Chapters.

For more information about P.E.O. and to see stories of women who have benefited from the programs, visit peointernational.org.