Pennsylvania sisters win $10,000 for senior tech support program

Medha and Reshma Lalani of Hempfield High School in Pennsylvania won the Bill of Rights Institute’s $10,000 MyImpact Challenge grand prize for Tech Buddies, a youth-led program that gives seniors one-on-one technology help. The project has trained more than 100 student volunteers and served 3,500 seniors, with plans to expand beyond Pennsylvania.

Why it matters: - Tech Buddies addresses the digital divide for older adults who need help with phones, banking, healthcare portals and online safety. - The program also gives students hands-on experience in leadership, empathy, patience and communication.

What happened: - Medha and Reshma Lalani of Hempfield High School in Landisville, Pennsylvania, won the $10,000 grand prize in the Bill of Rights Institute’s MyImpact Challenge. - The sisters created Tech Buddies, a youth-led initiative that pairs high school students with local seniors for personalized, one-on-one technology support. - The contest drew more than 200 students nationwide, and thousands more attended local civics fairs. - The Bill of Rights Institute also awarded more than $40,000 in student and teacher prizes in this year’s competition.

The details: - Tech Buddies has recruited and trained more than 100 youth volunteers. - Volunteers provide in-person tech support at retirement communities, libraries and recreation centers. - The program has served 3,500 seniors to date. - The sisters built a website and blog with resources, tips and volunteer stories. - The online hub has generated 3 million impressions. - Seniors get help navigating apps, understanding online security and avoiding scams. - The sisters said the program has helped seniors build confidence, independence and social connection. - The sisters said the project has also helped young volunteers develop civic habits and practical skills. - Other top prize winners included Amber Chih of Northwood High School in Irvine, California; Shaili Chudasama of Portola High School in Irvine, California; and Bella Carson, Reese Carson and Leila Murena, representing schools in Miami, Florida. - Honorable mentions went to Jayesh Singhal of Eastside Preparatory School in Kirkland, Washington; Yana Bijoor of Stuyvesant High School in New York; Vivian Liu of Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in Denton, Texas; Ronit Ginde of North Allegheny Senior High School in Wexford, Pennsylvania; Sophia Donald of Dana Hills High School in Dana Point, California; and Emily Hsia of Arnold O. Beckman High School in Irvine, California.

Between the lines: - The win highlights a civics competition that rewards projects tied to constitutional principles, civic virtues and community service. - The Lalani sisters’ project stands out because it turns a common family problem into a scalable service model for seniors. - Their contest submission framed civic responsibility as a daily habit rather than a one-time act. - Bill of Rights Institute President and CEO David Bobb said the organization aims to help the next generation learn and live by America’s principles and civic virtues.

What’s next: - The sisters are working with a retirement community partner to expand Tech Buddies across multiple states. - They are exploring partnerships with organizations like AARP. - They also want to create a structured volunteer platform so students can launch chapters nationwide. - More information is available at the Bill of Rights Institute and MyImpact Challenge.

The bottom line: - Two Pennsylvania high school students turned a family need into a growing civic service program, and a national contest is giving them funding and visibility to scale it.