Impact Awards
Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA) has been named a 2026 Nonprofit Impact Award recipient by the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits.
SVYCA’s goal is to train and empower the next generation of climate leaders. Over the past several years, the student-led nonprofit has grown to more than 150 active youth members, expanded its programs and partnerships, and created more opportunities for young people across the South Bay to engage directly in climate education, advocacy and community action.
SVYCA will be celebrating with the other 2026 Nonprofit Impact Award recipients at the council’s “Be Our Guest!” gala on Thursday, Oct. 22. For more information on what the nonprofit is doing locally, visit https://www.svyouthclimateaction.org/campbell.
Meritorious recognition
Five Westmont High School seniors were among about 16,000 high school students in the graduating class of 2027 — less than 1% of U.S. seniors —named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The semifinalists, announced on Sept. 9, qualified based on their scores on the Preliminary SAT. About 95 percent are expected to attain finalist standing on the strength of an application detailing academic performance, participation in activities, employment and leadership.
About half the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, to be announced in the spring.
The semifinalists from Westmont are Kristin J. Anthony, Ayaan A. Raza, Eleni Sismanis, Peihan Yu and Ellie M. Zhou.