Empower And Excel

02/22/2026

Empower And Excel’s The TrExcel Youth Competition Program Finals was more than just a competition — it was a powerful reminder of why we do this work. As the top teams presented their STEM, Art, and Fitness projects, you could see the confidence, preparation, and teamwork they had built over weeks of hard work. These students, from Title 1 High schools, had poured their hearts into their ideas. They stayed after school, practiced presentations repeatedly, refined prototypes, encouraged one another, and pushed through self-doubt.

But the most unforgettable moment came during the awards ceremony.

When the winners were announced, there was a brief pause, and then tears. Students stood frozen as their team names were called. Some covered their faces in disbelief. Others hugged their teammates tightly. A few openly wept. It was not just about winning. It was about validation. It was about feeling seen. But the most unforgettable moment came during the awards ceremony.

When the winners were announced, there was a brief pause, and then tears. Students stood frozen as their team names were called. Some covered their faces in disbelief. Others hugged their teammates tightly. A few openly wept. It was not just about winning. It was about validation. It was about feeling seen.

When scholarship recipients were asked why they were in shock, their words moved the entire room. One student shared that the scholarship would help ease her family’s financial burden. Another said it was the first time she felt her hard work truly paid off. A young participant spoke about how late nights, balancing responsibilities at home, and overcoming fear of public speaking had led to this very moment. Most of the folks in the room are in tears. Their mentors looked on with pride. Judges nodded quietly, visibly moved.

The room was emotional, not because of the prize money alone, but because of what it represented: opportunity, hope, and a pathway forward. The room was emotional, not because of the prize money alone, but because of what it represented: opportunity, hope, and a pathway forward.

02/22/2026

Empower And Excel's The TrExcel Youth Competition Program Finals was more than just a competition it was a powerful reminder of why we do this work.
As the top teams presented their STEM, Art, and Fitness projects, you could see the confidence, preparation, and teamwork they had built over weeks of hard work. These students, from Title 1 High schools, had poured their hearts into their ideas. They stayed after school, practiced presentations repeatedly, refined prototypes, encouraged one another, and pushed through self-doubt.

But the most unforgettable moment came during today's awards ceremony.
When the winners were announced, there was a brief pause, and then tears. Students stood frozen as their team names were called. Some covered their faces in disbelief. Others hugged their teammates tightly. A few openly wept. It was not just about winning. It was about validation. It was about feeling seen.

When scholarship recipients were asked why they were in shock, their words moved the entire room. A young participant spoke about how late nights, balancing responsibilities at home, and overcoming fear of public speaking had led to this very moment. One said it was the first time she felt her hard work truly paid off and another said that the scholarship would help ease his family's financial burden.

Most of the folks in the room are in tears. Their mentors looked on with pride. Judges nodded quietly, visibly moved. The room was emotional, not because of the prize money alone, but because of what it represented: opportunity, hope, and a pathway forward.

TrExcel is not just about competition. It is about empowerment. It is about showing students that their ideas, their voices, and their future matter.
We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors, Eddie Oberoi, Mody, Meriwest Credit Union, Meriwest Community Foundation, Tessolve Reveti Inc. | Fine Jewelry, and Growers Hub for making this life-changing opportunity possible.

Thank you to the Santa Clara County Office of Education for hosting our event and supporting us with your outreach. Thank you, Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF), for partnering to work with students. Thank you to our wonderful judges for dedicating your valuable time and expertise to this program. And of course, heartfelt thanks to our dedicated volunteers and the E&E Team. Without each and every one of you, this successful and emotional celebration would not have been possible.

Today, we did not just announce winners.
We witnessed confidence being born.
We witnessed families feeling relief.
We witnessed young leaders stepping into their potential.
And that is the true success of Empower And Excel's TrExcel Program.
We can’t wait for TrExcel 2026–27 — the journey continues.

02/16/2026

TrExcel Finals – February 21st!

The excitement is building as we prepare for the TrExcel Youth Competition Finals on February 21st! Our top teams from underserved communities will present their innovative projects to a panel of judges. These students have worked tirelessly to collaborate, create, and push beyond their limits, and now it’s time for them to shine.
CommunityImpact

02/16/2026

**TrExcel Finals – February 21st! **
The excitement is building as we prepare for the TrExcel Youth Competition Finals on February 21st! Our top teams from underserved communities will be presenting their innovative projects before a panel of judges. These students have worked tirelessly to collaborate, create, and push beyond their limits, and now it’s time for them to shine.

11/10/2025

What a MAGICAL night at the hashtag 2025! Here is the montage capturing the spirit of the night! https://youtu.be/JRcrDc_gmQE?si=-Bvjb6Oqk3WV8VyK
From tear-jerking stories to jaw-dropping youth performances, every moment reminded us why we pour our hearts into empowering the next generation.
A massive THANK YOU to our sponsors, donors, and every guest who lit up the room with generosity and community spirit!
Together, we’re helping kids & teens excel and uplift their world.
hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/28/2025

Spreading Warmth, Preparing One Blanket at a Time for Unhoused!

Huge thanks to the amazing Microsoft employees who joined hands with Empower And Excel to make cozy, heartfelt blankets for our unhoused neighbors. Each blanket was made with so much care, compassion, and warmth a reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference during the cold winter months.

Together, we’re wrapping our community in love and hope.

10/15/2025

Something warm is in the making!

Our Empower and Excel team has been busy creating something special to spread warmth and kindness this season.

Stay tuned to see how our community is coming together — one stitch at a time.

10/03/2025

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Annual Sponsors:

We are truly grateful to our committed partners who stand with Empower & Excel year-round, helping us light up lives and create lasting impact.

Reveti Jewelry: https://www.reveti.com/
Thank you to Nandini of Reveti Jewelry for your generous support! Reveti offers a unique and wide variety of designer collections, with prices starting at $250 and up. In honor of Empower & Excel, Nandini is extending a special sale for our E&E family until Diwali. ✨ Private appointments are available at her studio. DM us if you’d like to schedule a visit and treat yourself or a loved one while supporting the cause.
https://mailchi.mp/f2d861afa77e/reveti-fall-2025-looks-and-designs-s5oa91007c-17992344

Eddie Oberoi & Aliya Mody :
https://eddieoberoi.com/ https://www.aliyamody.com/
Long-time generous sponsors who believe deeply in our mission. Both are active community members who not only work for the community but give back through it. If you’re considering buying or selling a home, going through Eddie & Aliya is another way to support Empower & Excel — just mention E&E family, and they will contribute back to our cause.

Meriwest Credit Union
Dedicated partners who support the community with programs in financial literacy and youth empowerment. Their ongoing commitment strengthens the impact we make together, ensuring brighter futures for children and families.

🙏 These three incredible sponsors — Reveti Jewelry, Eddie & Aliya, and Meriwest Credit Union Foundation — are our annual sponsors, walking alongside us not just during gala season but throughout the year. We couldn’t do this without their steadfast support!

10/02/2025

A huge thank you to J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines for their generous wine donation to our Light Up Lives Gala!
Your support added a special touch to the evening and helped make the celebration even more memorable. We are grateful for community partners like you who believe in our mission and help us create a lasting impact.

10/01/2025

Highlights from a night filled with joy, purpose, and impact!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Empower and Excel’s Light Up Lives gala. It was a wonderful evening celebrating community and the difference we can make together.

We loved seeing so many of you come out to support our mission, and we’re grateful for your continued support in helping us empower lives and strengthen our community.

09/29/2025

A huge shout-out to our incredible sponsors for making the Light Up Lives Gala such a success!
Reveti Jewelry https://www.reveti.com/
Eddie Oberoi https://eddieoberoi.com/ & Aliya Mody https://www.aliyamody.com/ and https://www.meriwest.com/

Your generosity and belief in our mission helped us light up lives and create hope for underserved children and disabled orphans. We are truly grateful!

09/22/2025

We are overwhelmed with all the love and generosity we received from our donors, friends, and volunteers yesterday!

It was a truly wonderful evening in a beautiful city-view setting, where like-minded people gathered with one shared goal – to create meaningful change and support humans who truly deserve all the love. The evening began with warm conversations and connections, and then moved into the heart of the program, where Empower and Excel showcased the incredible projects it leads and the real, tangible impact these initiatives are having on so many lives.

Then came the most spirited part of the evening – the pledging session, brilliantly and wittily conducted by Sunny Moza. One by one, hands went up and voices rose, pledging not just funds but hope, commitment, and belief in the cause. It was powerful to witness how everyone came together to make sure no child, no life, is left behind. Each pledge represented a step closer to a world where dignity, care, and opportunity are not privileges but rights.

Our hearts are full as we reflect on the magic of the evening, but the work does not end here. The gala was just a beautiful showcase of what we can do together — and you can continue to be part of this journey anytime by donating, supporting, and sharing this mission.

For more information or to make a contribution, visit us at https://empowerexcel.org.

With immense gratitude, we look forward to turning last night’s promises into life-changing realities.

Empower And Excel: Inspiring youth ages 5-18 to volunteer and give back. Join our mission to mentor and mobilize young people in hands-on experiences that foster empathy and respect. Since 2015, our 2,965 mentees have contributed 136,000+ service hours, aiding nearly 221,000 individuals in need. Get...