$10K David Yandell Scholarship Winner Named

PLEASANTON, CA — Amador Valley High School graduating seniors Aarush Tahiliani was named as the recipient of the $10,000 David Yandell Living Legacy Service Scholarship, the Three Valleys Community Foundation announced. The annual scholarship, named for the longtime AVHS teacher and counselor, celebrates students who embody Yandell's values of compassion, mentorship, and service.

Tahiliani was chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool for his academic achievement, leadership, and community service. He graduates with a 4.46 weighted GPA, and will attended UC Berkeley's Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Program, where he plans to earn dual degrees in Business Administration, and Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences.

During his time at AVHS, Tahiliani founded the English Learning Support Initiative, a platform designed to support English-learning students through translated assignments and AI-supported peer mentoring tools. The initiative has gained support from school district leaders and launched pilot programs within local schools.

He also helped lead AVHS's Web Development Club, which helped deliver more than 20 websites for schools, nonprofits, clubs, and small businesses throughout the community.

“In our family, education has always been about more than academics; it’s about character, compassion, and showing up for others. This scholarship is our way of honoring my dad’s lifelong belief that service to the community is one of the greatest measures of success,” said Keith Yandell, David's son who graduated AVHS in 1997.