SRVUSD Students Win Youth Hall Of Fame Awards For Community Service

DANVILLE, CA — Four students from San Ramon Valley Unified School District received 2024 Youth Hall of Fame Awards at the 30th annual César E. Chavez Commemorative Celebration, which honors the work of the social justice and labor rights leader. The students were honored by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors for their contributions to their communities. The following students received awards in specific categories:

Teamwork: Neil Chandran, Monte Vista High School

MVHS junior Neil Chandran has devoted enormous efforts to helping students with autism. He received a Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award for his work with ACEing Autism, which encourages growth and confidence through affordable tennis instruction. He has recruited students from several nearby high schools as volunteer coaches, and has helped them start their own chapters. He is also working with professors at UC Santa Cruz to develop an independent living and self-care based virtual reality game for individuals with autism. He is a member of the School Site Council and League of Innovative Students.

Perseverance: Aditya Narayan, Dougherty Valley High School

Narayan is a DVHS junior with a chronic condition who has done extensive research on gastroenterology and developing a support network. He interns at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation as a support group facilitator for children 11-18, and has contributed to several gastroenterology research studies. He is the youngest person ever to be invited to participate in two high-level conferences to share his research.

Volunteerism Rising Star: Samhita Chikoti, Gale Ranch Middle School

Chikoti is a GRMS 7th grader who volunteers for the Bay Area Telegu Association, and received the Presidential Award for 116 hours of volunteer service.

Leadership & Civic Engagement Rising Star: Dhruv Subramanian, Windemere Ranch Middle School

Subramanian is an eighth grader at WRMS who placed fifth at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. He is also active on the school student council, where he has advocated for a number of reforms, including lunch line management and fixing school water fountains. He is an executive member of Model UN and the Strategy Games Club, and has devoted over 50 volunteer hours with East Bay SPCA.