Neel Somani Establishes First "Knowledge Grant" to Support Student Journalism

Dougherty Valley High School's Newspaper Secures Funding and New Domain Name

SAN RAMON, Calif., March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dougherty Valley High School's student-run newspaper, the Wildcat Tribune, has received a major boost thanks to the first-ever Neel Somani Knowledge Grant. This initiative, founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Neel Somani, ensures the paper's continued operation for years to come, providing critical funding for printing, digital infrastructure, and distribution. Additionally, Somani has donated the domain name www.wildcattribune.com, offering the publication a new online presence to expand its reach.

The Wildcat Tribune, published periodically in print and regularly updated online, has been a cornerstone of student journalism at Dougherty Valley High School. The newspaper covers a wide range of topics, including news, editorials, opinions, features, entertainment, and sports. It has gained national recognition for its commitment to quality journalism—most notably as the first publication to interview Captain Chesley Sullenberger following his historic emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in 2009.

"I'm excited to support the Wildcat Tribune and help empower the next generation of journalists," said Somani. "This newspaper has a rich history of excellence in reporting, and I hope this funding allows it to continue serving as a platform for aspiring journalists."

To celebrate this contribution and the future of student journalism at Dougherty Valley High School, a special event will be held on March 27th at 4:00 PM at Dougherty Valley High School. The celebration will feature food, beverages, and remarks from faculty and Somani about the importance of independent journalism.

Mitch Bathke, the Wildcat Tribune journalism teacher and advisor, emphasized the impact of this grant: "The Wildcat Tribune has always been more than just a high school newspaper. It's a space for students to develop their voices and engage in meaningful storytelling. This support ensures that we can continue our work and expand opportunities for our young journalists."

Somani, a former quantitative researcher at Citadel turned entrepreneur, is best known for founding Eclipse, a blockchain scaling solution that raised $65 million in funding. He is an early investor in several notable cryptocurrency startups. His philanthropic efforts extend through the Neel Somani Scholarship Program, which funds education and innovation initiatives.

The Wildcat Tribune has long been a cornerstone of student expression at Dougherty Valley High School, providing young journalists with a platform to report on school and community news. With this new support, the publication will continue to thrive, embracing both print and digital journalism.

About Neel Somani:
Neel Somani is a visionary technologist and entrepreneur with a proven track record across blockchain development, quantitative research, and academia. He is the founder of Eclipse, Ethereum's fastest Layer 2 platform powered by the Solana Virtual Machine. A former quantitative researcher at Citadel's commodities group, Neel previously honed his analytical expertise solving complex problems in global markets. Somani also supports higher education through a personal scholarship program, which underscores his dedication to fostering the next generation of talent.

About Dougherty Valley High School:
Dougherty Valley High School is a public high school located in the Windemere development of San Ramon, California, United States. It is one of four high schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD), along with California High School, San Ramon Valley High School, and Monte Vista High School. The school opened its doors in 2007. Dougherty is the top school in the district based on Academic Performance Index. The school is also home to over 200 clubs and many afterschool activities.

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