Congratulations to these exceptional CSF Sealbearers nominated by their CSF Advisers and selected as Seymour Award Finalists. This weekend they will meet in a group interview setting to compete for the Central Coast Seymour Recipient Award.
Ritika Appanagari – Chapter 809 Presentation High School
Adviser Sara Domian
Principal Kristina Luscher
As a member of CSF at Presentation High School, in San Jose, Ritika has been involved in many CSF activities, but it has been in other organizations that she has truly shined. You see, in her early life, when she was just 8 years old, a trampoline accident led to a stroke, which forced her to view the world through a different lens. Some would resign themselves to their situation with a meek acceptance, but Ritika used this as a springboard to advocacy. With several friends, she has created a Special Needs STEM EDU Camp where, using her own experience as a model. They teach camp participants how to research their own injuries and brainstorm potential ways to enhance their recoveries. In her personal statement, Ritika writes, “The glow on the students’ faces while learning is a testament to what we can achieve when we empower all learners, regardless of their abilities. This idea led to her to become the Founder and President of Special Needs Advocacy Community (SNAC), and to serve as an Ally Officer for PRAGNYA: a Neurodiversity Nonprofit organization, and Co-Founder & President of the Neuroscience and Psychology Society (NAPS).
Sara Domian, Ritika’s CSF Adviser explains that “Whether she’s working with classmates on a group project about neurodiversity, leading a schoolwide campaign on ableism, or creating a fitness workshop that is inclusive for all, she acts with purpose, integrity and a true desire to make the world a better place. Fortunately for us, Ritika has decided to embrace this passion as a career in Neuroscience and has already been accepted into UC Santa Cruz, and UC Riverside, but is leaning towards attending Santa Clara University in the Fall. In her downtime, which is quite limited, Ritika enjoys painting watercolors and looking for the perfect joke. According to her, it’s the perfect way to end a day, with a laugh and a smile.
Saanvi Bapat – Chapter 809 Presentation High School
Adviser Sara Domian
Principal Kristina Luscher
A member of CSF at Presentation High School, in San Jose, Saanvi has served as the Regional President of Second Serve: a youth-run global non-profit that provides underprivileged kids across the world with tennis equipment during her 4 years in high school. With her leadership, they have secured partnerships with Boys and Girls Club of Metro LA and Boys and Girls Club of Central Piedmont, and beyond. This has led to her winning the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
She has also become deeply involved with Engage STEM, serving as the Volunteer Coordinator and Mathematics Tutor. Saanvi has also tutored others in Math, English and Science. Saanvi is currently serving as a Miss CEO Ambassador, where her CSF Adviser Sara Domian writes, Saanvi “Has taken her own experiences in STEM and leadership and used them to inspire the next generation helping girls build the confidence and skills needed to thrive in both personal and professional arenas. She is also a major force on her school’s Robotics team currently serving as this year’s Manufacturing Lead.
Inspired by her dad who is an electrical engineer, Saanvi plans to pursue the same path, and is considering attending either the University of Illinois Champaign, Texas A & M, UC Berkeley, or UCLA. For fun, Saanvi enjoys creating fashions by styling different clothes and making unique outfits. With this mindset, I’m positive she will bring flair to Engineering. This is Saanvi Bapat.
Jaimee Diaz Dalit – Chapter 762 Piedmont Hills High School
Adviser Kimmy Truong
Principal Nancy Pereira
East Side Union High School District
Serving as Co-President of CSF at Piedmont High School in San Jose this year, and previously serving as media coordinator and Class representative during both 9th and 10th grade years, Jaimee is deeply immersed in a very active chapter. Ranging from holiday service opportunities such as snow globe making, DIY Gingerbread Man Kits, Christmas Candy Gifts, and Lunar New Year at the Library, to other events throughout the school year including Birthday Cards for Senior Citizens, Letters for Soldier. Jamie is definitely making a difference on her campus, and in her community.
Her proudest CSF achievement has been spearheading and organizing a multi-club event called a No-Sew Fleece Blanket event, which has now become an annual CSF tradition. Proud of her chapter’s accomplishments for this service, Jaimee writes in her personal statement that “As of today, we have donated approximately three hundred No-Sew crafts and lifted hundreds of children’s spirits. It’s amazing how many students have contributed to this event. Perhaps it is because if they don’t, Jaimee might use her skills as a Black Belt in Martial Arts for persuasion. Another way Jaimee serves others is through music, as she plays the flute, the trumpet, all percussion, drums, guitar and she sings.
For a career path, Jaimee plans to double major in Chemical Engineering and Music and has applied to such schools as UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Merced and others but is hoping to be accepted to Stanford. When she has had a long, stressful day, it might be possible to see Jaimee in her Martial Arts Studio late at night going through a serious workout.
Ella Guo – Chapter 468 Las Lomas High School
Adviser Brianna Shahvar
Principal Heather Thorner
Acalanes Union High School District
Since 10th grade, Ella has been a member of Las Lomas High School’s CSF Chapter, and has been an active student on campus in a range of clubs. From serving as an officer of the Women in Engineering Club, to her role as President of Community Connections Club, Ella is dedicated to helping others, especially by encouraging young women to become involved in STEM careers. As a Curriculum Designer of the group STEMpathize, Ella has been responsible for creating STEM workshops for elementary and middle school students in her community.
If more STEM is what you are looking for, then keep reading, as Ella has also served as a Counselor in Training for the Girls in Engineering Summer Camp hosted by UC Berkeley. Alisa Bettale, a Program Manager for the Quantum Computing, Mathematics, & Physics Camp, or QCAMP, where Ella was part of a cohort during the summer of 2024 explains in her recommendation letter that Ella’s work ethic and maturity was so impressive, that she suspected that “Many scientists attending the final symposium did not even realize they were talking to a high school student!
This maturity and dedication has led Ella to major in mechanical engineering. She plans to pursue her dreams by attending either Purdue, The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin, or her dream choice Harvey Mudd College. When it’s time to relax, Ella enjoys playing the violin or piano, or spending time with friends watching movies.
Thanisha Kapur – Chapter 666 Saint Francis High School
Adviser Monica Batres
Principal Katie Teekell
Mountain View School District
As a Member of Saint Francis High School’s CSF chapter, Thanisha is highly involved in many organizations around campus. From her position as President of The Future Medical Students Association, and President of the Lancer Tech League, to serving as this year’s Executive Director of the Teens in Health, a Global Non-Profit teaching teens how to write research papers, and as the Bay Area Youth Director of VT Seva, an organization that raised over $7,000 for visually challenged children, Thanisha is truly a force both on campus and in her community.
She is also the Founder and CEO of a 7-week summer academy program teaching public speaking to underprivileged elementary students. Arthima Rondha, the Bay Area Branch Director of VT Seva, writes that “One of Thanisha’s most remarkable qualities is her ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether she is mentoring a young child in public speaking, collaborating with fellow volunteers, or engaging with the wider community, she does so with kindness, humility, and an infectious enthusiasm.
Thanisha plans to take her enthusiasm to either University of Pennsylvania, The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, numerous UC’s or hopefully to her dream school of Duke, where she plans to major in Cognitive Science. From her studies, she hopes to blend her love for medicine and technology. A good way Thanisha likes to destress is in the kitchen baking where, most recently she created banana bread.
Aiden Lopes – Chapter 846 Monte Vista Christian High School
Adviser Ryan Bariteau
Principal Michael Lanham
As an active member of Monte Vista School’s CSF chapter Aiden is currently serving as the secretary of this busy chapter. From Feeding the homeless, to Operation Christmas Child, to Recognition of School Staff during Teacher Appreciation Week, Aiden definitely lives CSF’s motto “Scholars for Service.” Outside of CSF, Aiden is a founding member of the Belonging and Inclusion Counsel, President of the Middle School Tutoring Club, Editor of the school newspaper, Co-Founder of the IB Mentorship Program, and Social Media Manager of the Business and Entrepreneurship Club.
Aiden is this year’s valedictorian. Writing about Aiden’s impact on campus, CSF Adviser Ryan Bariteau explains that “Aiden is the student I seek out when I need a peer with maturity and a healthy perspective to help address a complex social situation.
With a career goal of one day becoming a doctor and exploring how technology can be utilized to save lives, Aiden plans to attend either UCLA, Purdue, UC Santa Cruz, or Hawaii Pacific and major in Biomedical Engineering. To relax after a long day, Aiden finds pure enjoyment in the art of sewing, where he most recently created his own leather jacket.
Eli McKoy Beiser – Chapter 484 Bishop O’Dowd High School
Adviser Britney Brooks
Principal Doug Evans
Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland
Eli is a member of CSF at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, and although this chapter does not perform service or hold meetings, Eli has explored many other avenues on campus and in his community to give back to others. Currently, he serves as the Debate Captain of his school’s undefeated Debate team, and also serves as the Senior Class Representative on the Executive Board of the Jewish Club, Is the founding member of the Life Skills Club, Co-President of his school’s National Honor Society.
Eli was asked by school administrators to lead the Solidarity in Action club on campus focusing on Social Justice Issues in the community. This involvement led Eli to work with Anthony Carrasco, a founding member of the City of Berkeley’s Homeless Services Panel of Experts to recruit students from Oakland High School’s Law and Social Justice Pathway and Berkeley High School looking to observe a compassionate view of the homelessness epidemic.
This work has given Eli a passion to major in political science, at either UCLA, Columbia or Georgetown. In this journey, Eli wishes to better understand how people from all walks of life can learn to work together towards a common goal. When not serving others Eli loves to indulge in Magic The Gathering Card game, even though he admits it to be a rather nerdy pastime
Nidhi Nadgir – Chapter 884 Prospect High School
Adviser Chun-Yao Chang
Principal Markus Autrey
Campbell Union High School District
Active for all four years in an active CSF chapter at Prospect High School in Saratoga, Nidhi is currently the treasurer. The events she has been involved with range from a Food Bank Fundraiser, to a walkathon, and even a CSF Trunk or Treat Fundraiser. However, it is outside of CSF where Nidhi truly shines. She is the founder of Story-STEM.com, an innovative learning initiative that created a curriculum of 75 + story based materials integrating stories and math that has so far reached over 600 students. She is also the Program Founder of the San Jose Public Library Calabazas Branch, where tutored and organized STEAM activities, and created “Fun with Physics” weekly lessons that reach over 500 students.
According to her CSF adviser, Chun Yao Chang, “Nidhi’s ability to blend storytelling with STEM education is nothing short of inspiring.” She is also a Co President and Head Tutor of The Prospect Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement Club, Founder and President of Prospect High School’s Creative Writing Club, and Co President of Prospect High’s STEM Club. She has also been highly involved in Girl Scouts for the past 10 years, and is currently serving as an ambassador, leading troop meetings and organizing badge activities.
Nidhi plans to attend either UCLA, UC Berkeley, or Brown University to study physics and applied math. When Nidhi is not founding a new club on campus, she loves to immerse herself in creative writing or baking. In fact, recently she tried a new recipe for Earl Grey Macarons.
Bartolo Serrato Lucatero – Chapter 167 Paso Robles High School
Adviser Jennifer Martinez
Principal Megan Fletcher
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
As a student at Paso Robles High School, Bartolo has dedicated much of his time in numerous clubs and organizations such as serving as President of his school’s AVID Club,where he assisted with fundraising efforts for student scholarships, and as a Link Crew Leader, where he helped with Freshmen Orientation, and worked to create connections between upperclassmen and incoming students by leading campus tours in August.
There are events in life that at times alter our path and make us take on unexpected responsibilities, and this is true of Bartolo. Due to having to step in and serve as a parental figure. Although he admits this was challenging at times, he thrived by creating systems to reinforce positive behaviour for his three younger siblings, and learning to adjust his approach each time one method failed. Through this endeavor, he learned patience, adaptability, and the importance of consistency. He explains in his personal statement that, “Over time, I helped restore stability in our home.”
With his life experiences, Bartolo is more committed than ever to pursue his dreams of a career in Biomedical Engineering by attending either UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis or his dream school, UC Irvine. To refocus after a long day, Bartolo loves to run while his siblings ride their bikes with him. Let’s celebrate this young man, Bartolo Serrato Lucatero.
Kiyoko Ellis Williams – Chapter 225 Tamalpais High School
Adviser Amanda Spaht
Principal Kimberly Klissold
Tamalpais Joint Union High School District
President this year, and Vice President for the past two years of Tamalpais High School’s CSF Chapter, Kiyoko has led such service opportunities in the last two years as the Tam Fam Gift Drive, Diversity Day at Tam, the Women’s Student Union Bake Sale, and has helped to organize the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival. Amanda Spaht, Adviser of the CSF Chapter writes that,”since returning from Covid, Kiyoko has transformed the CSF chapter into an active club in which students actively participate.” In fact, under her leadership, the chapter, “Between 2022 to 2025 has increased membership from 165 to 324 students.
Outside of CSF, Kiyoko is currently the President and has been the Vice President for the past two years of the Honor T Club and has been the Co-President of the Women’s Student Union for the past three years. When not being the President of clubs, Kiyoko has also been a Girl Scout for the past 12 years, has volunteered for over 100 hours at the Marin Food Bank and played violin since 2010.
Fueling her passion for creative writing and art has led Kiyoko to set her sights on either attending Dartmouth, or Columbia University. Outside of school, Kiyoko loves boba and thrifting for fashions with friends. This is Kiyoko, Ellis Williams.
