April 24, 2026
Pickerington, OH – Pickerington High School Central senior Brayden Keane has been selected for the 2026 cohort of the Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy (PLA) at Bowling Green State University, earning a highly competitive full-tuition scholarship and securing his place in one of the university’s most distinguished leadership programs.
The PLA is a nationally recognized leadership development experience grounded in servant leadership, combining academic coursework, mentorship, and immersive co-curricular learning over four years. This year’s selection process was especially competitive, with nearly 550 applicants and only 84 students invited to participate in an intensive interview process.
Brayden distinguished himself throughout that process and now joins the 29th cohort of the program as the third student from Pickerington High School Central to be accepted into the PLA.
“I got selected for the President’s Leadership Academy, and that’s a full tuition scholarship,” Brayden said. “That definitely made my college decision a lot easier.”
Brayden will study pre-med at Bowling Green State University with the long-term goal of becoming a thoracic surgeon.
“My best friend’s dad was a heart surgeon,” he shared. “That really sparked my interest early on, and I’ve stayed focused on the heart and biomedical sciences ever since.”
The PLA experience begins this summer with a four-week immersive program introducing students to college life and leadership development. Over the next four years, scholars grow through a structured progression that includes self-exploration, emotional intelligence development, leadership application experiences, and a culminating senior colloquium.
Principal Roshawn Parker of Pickerington High School Central celebrated Brayden’s achievement and the continued success of Central students earning admission into highly selective programs like the PLA.
Brayden will join a community of more than 500 current scholars and alumni, united by the program’s guiding philosophy: eyes on tomorrow and feet on today.
