CSF Announces the 2025–2026 Seymour Award Central Coast Region Finalists

The Central Coast Seymour Finalists on a breezy day at the Region Awards Event hosted by Chapter 68cc Gilroy High School in Gilroy, CA.
Many thanks to CSF Adviser Matt Hungerford, the CSF chapter members and Principal Julie Berggren for hosting the Central Coast Region CSF/CJSF Awards Event.

Luciana Arias – Chapter 241 San Ramon Valley High School
Adviser Steve Johnson
Principal Charlie Litton
San Ramon Valley Unified School District

A dedicated scholar and leader from San Ramon Valley High School, Luciana Arias has made a meaningful impact through both service and the arts. A four-year varsity swimmer and accomplished vocalist, she serves as president of her school’s choir and arts representation clubs, using music to bring people together and build community.

Luciana’s commitment to service extends far beyond campus. She has participated in medical missions to El Salvador, where she served as a Spanish-English translator, helping connect patients with doctors and ensuring families felt heard and understood. She has also volunteered with organizations supporting individuals with disabilities and local community initiatives, contributing over 180 hours of service.

Fluent in Spanish and deeply connected to her Peruvian heritage, Luciana is passionate about using her voice to advocate for others. She plans to study public or global health and hopes to work on the policy side to improve access and equity in healthcare. She is currently deciding between UC Davis or Northeastern while also waiting on some waitlist decisions. Wherever she ends up she will undoubtedly make a meaningful impact.

Riley Castro – Chapter 1222 Greenfield High School
Adviser Juan Perez
Principal Charlotte Vega
South Monterey County Joint Union High School District

A dedicated leader from Greenfield High School, Riley Noelle Castro has made a lasting impact through her leadership, service, and commitment to her community. She currently serves as both Class of 2026 President and FFA chapter president, leading and representing hundreds of students while helping organize events and fundraisers that support her school.

Riley is deeply involved in her community, volunteering for over three years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where she educates visitors about conservation and has earned a 150 hour service award. She has also worked with local youth through her role as a recreational aide and swim instructor, building strong connections with children and families. Balancing a rigorous academic schedule with leadership and work, Riley has developed strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and a passion for helping others.

Known for her outgoing personality, Riley enjoys connecting with others, she proudly describes herself as someone who loves to talk, and she especially loves spending time with her dog. She will be continuing her studies in Pharmaceutical Science at UC Irvine, where she is sure to bring her energy, leadership, and compassion to her next community.

Andrea Chivi – Chapter 538 Hillsdale High School
Adviser Rachel Mariucci
Principal Jeff Gilbert
San Mateo Union High School District

At Hillsdale High School, Andrea Chivi is known for her leadership, voice, and commitment to building a stronger community. As Associated Student Body Vice President, she plays a key role in planning and leading events that bring together a campus of over 1,600 students.

Andrea is especially passionate about Mock Trial, where she serves as team captain, attorney, and coach. Through this experience, she has developed strong communication and leadership skills while mentoring younger students and helping them discover their own voice in the courtroom. Mock Trial has played a major role in shaping her post-secondary interests and deepening her understanding of the legal system.

Beyond campus, Andrea is deeply committed to serving her community. She founded a club focused on supporting underprivileged children, volunteers her time tutoring peers, and participates in local beach and trail cleanups. Whether she is organizing events, mentoring others, or advocating for change, Andrea consistently works to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for those around her.

Inspired by her ethnic studies coursework and her experiences in leadership, Andrea is committed to UC Santa Barbara where she will be majoring in History of Policy, Law, and Governance. There is no doubt she will have a meaningful impact on her college community as she continues to lead, serve, and advocate for others.

Tiburon Dong Horvath – Chapter 484 Bishop O’Dowd High School
Adviser Britney Brooks
Principal Doug Evans
Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland

With a deep passion for the outdoors, Tiburon Horvath has turned his love for fishing and the environment into meaningful service and leadership. At Bishop O’Dowd High School, he co-founded and leads the Fishing Club, where he organizes trips, beach cleanups, and educational events focused on conservation and protecting aquatic ecosystems.

Tiburon is especially passionate about sharing that love with others. Through his work with the Boys and Girls Club, he has developed and led fishing programs for younger students, teaching not only fishing skills but also environmental responsibility and confidence. He is currently working toward creating a business or nonprofit that provides summer fishing lessons, with the goal of expanding access to outdoor experiences for youth.

In addition to his service, Tiburon is a dedicated student and leader, balancing strong academics with peer tutoring and environmental research. His experiences have shaped his vision of becoming an “ecopreneur,” using business as a tool to support and protect the environment.

He plans to study environmental science as an undergraduate and pursue business in graduate school, combining his passions to create a lasting impact. As he considers UCLA, Brown University, USC, Boston College, and UC Berkeley, he looks forward to continuing his work in environmental leadership and service.

Kavin Karunagaran – Chapter 102 Livermore High School
Adviser Heema Sinibaldi
Principal Roxana Mohammed
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District

A driven and accomplished student from Livermore High School, Kavin Karunagaran stands out for his leadership, discipline, and entrepreneurial mindset. As President of his school’s California Scholarship Federation chapter, he has led service initiatives and helped promote academic excellence across campus.

Kavin is also a dedicated athlete, serving as captain of the varsity water polo team, where he earned Defensive MVP honors and mentored younger players. In addition, he is a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo, where he has spent years not only mastering his craft but also giving back by teaching and mentoring younger students.

Beyond athletics, Kavin has demonstrated a strong passion for business and innovation. Through an Entrepreneurship program at UC Berkeley he has developed real-world business skills, collaborating with teams to create and pitch startup ideas. His leadership extends to founding clubs, organizing initiatives, and contributing to community-focused projects.

Kavin plans to study finance, business, or economics with the goal of one day owning his own business. He will be headed back to UC Berkeley where he will continue to grow as a leader, innovator, and entrepreneur as he furthers his education.

Lucia Niño-Sears – Chapter 94 Sequoia High School
Adviser Teresa Yeager
Principal Sean Priest
Sequoia Union High School District

A dynamic leader from Sequoia High School, Lucia Niño-Sears has made a lasting impact through her leadership, service, and commitment to inclusion. As Associated Student Body Co-President, she has led schoolwide initiatives that bring students together, including creating bilingual rallies and communications to ensure all students feel represented and connected on campus.

Lucia is deeply involved in her community, serving as a leader in outdoor education programs, a volunteer at Hidden Villa Farm, and a tutor for English language learners. She has also worked as a preschool teaching assistant and supported children through occupational therapy programs, building strong connections with youth from a wide range of backgrounds.

In addition, Lucia has participated in programs such as the Stanford Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience and international service work, further expanding her perspective and commitment to helping others. Whether she is mentoring younger students, leading on campus, or working in her community, Lucia brings empathy, energy, and a strong sense of purpose to everything she does.

She will be attending Bowdoin College, where she plans to study psychology along with government and legal studies, with the goal of making a meaningful impact at the intersection of public policy and health.

Nyaira Payne – Chapter 82 Mountain View High School
Adviser David Campbell
Principal Kip Glazer
Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District

From an early age, Nya Payne has shown an entrepreneurial spirit, first launching her own cooking business at just seven years old. That early passion has grown into a strong interest in business and economics, shaping the path she plans to pursue in college and beyond.

At Mountain View High School, Nya is a dedicated leader and active member of her community. She serves as President of the Black Student Union, where she has helped grow membership and create meaningful events that build connection and awareness across campus. She is also involved in student leadership through advisory councils and service organizations, consistently using her voice to support others.

Nya has gained real-world experience through her internship with Justice Vanguard, where she has contributed to work focused on equity, education, and community advocacy. Alongside her leadership and service, she is a dedicated musician, having played the violin for over a decade and performing in recitals throughout her academic career.

With plans to study economics and a passion for business, Nya hopes to one day build something of her own. She is looking forward to continuing her journey at a university in California, with applications to the University of San Francisco, LMU, Santa Clara University, and several UC campuses.

Madeleine Roytfeld – Chapter 241 San Ramon Valley High School
Adviser Steve Johnson
Principal Charlie Litton
San Ramon Valley Unified School District

With a deep appreciation for language and storytelling, Madeleine Roytfeld has built her high school experience around amplifying voices and sharing stories. Growing up speaking three languages, she developed an early passion for literature, culture, and communication that continues to shape her academic and personal pursuits.

At San Ramon Valley High School, Madeleine has distinguished herself as a writer, leader, and advocate. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of her school newspaper and has participated in prestigious writing programs across the country, honing her craft and expanding her perspective.

A standout achievement in her community is her role as Danville’s Youth Poet Laureate, where she uses her voice to represent and inspire young people while promoting creativity and expression throughout the community. She has also demonstrated a strong commitment to service, tutoring English learners and helping organize cultural events that bring people together.

Madeleine plans to study comparative literature, continuing to explore the power of language, storytelling, and global perspectives. She will be continuing her studies at either UC Berkeley or UCLA, where she will continue to share stories and elevate the voices of others.

Anderson Schwarer – Chapter 102 Livermore High School
Adviser Heema Sinibaldi
Principal Roxana Mohammed
Livermore Joint Unified High School District

Driven by a passion for problem-solving and discovery, Anderson Schwarer has built an impressive foundation in science, research, and community impact. At Livermore High School, he has excelled as a leader in Science Olympiad, serving as Head Captain while mentoring teammates and leading his team to multiple top finishes.

Anderson’s curiosity extends beyond the classroom into advanced scientific research. He has conducted biotechnology research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and continues his work in chemistry-focused research at California State University, East Bay, exploring real-world applications of science.

He has also made a meaningful impact through his work with the Quest Science Center, where he has contributed to climate action initiatives, including urban heat mapping and science education efforts that influence local policy and community awareness. His ability to take complex scientific concepts and turn them into actionable solutions demonstrates both leadership and innovation.

Anderson plans to pursue chemical engineering, inspired by the problem-solving nature of chemistry and its potential to create real-world solutions. As he considers UC Berkeley, UCLA, and the University of Pennsylvania, he looks forward to continuing to explore, innovate, and make an impact through science.

Joshua Wu – Chapter 901 Dublin High School
Adviser Kim Halket
Principal Maureen Byrne
Dublin Unified School District

Motivated by both personal experience and a passion for science, Joshua S. Wu has dedicated his high school years to research, leadership, and service. After being diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at a young age, he developed a deep interest in medicine and a desire to help others facing similar challenges.

At Dublin High School, Joshua has distinguished himself as a researcher, earning multiple Grand Awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair through his work in biomedical research at UCSF. His commitment to science is matched by his dedication to expanding access and opportunity for others, including creating programs that support students in pursuing research.

Joshua’s passion for service is especially evident through his leadership with The Crayon Initiative, where he has led efforts to recycle and distribute crayons to children in hospitals. He has also demonstrated outstanding leadership through over a decade of involvement in Scouting of America, earning the rank of Eagle Scout and serving as Senior Patrol Leader, where he mentored and guided younger scouts.

Looking ahead, Joshua plans to study biomedical research or engineering as he pursues his goal of attending medical school. He is currently leaning toward Stanford University, with UPenn and Caltech also among his options. On any campus, his commitment to making an impact through science and service will continue.