Senior Nandana Menon was recognized on a national level this week when she won the SXSW EDU Student Impact Challenge after pitching her app called Spark at their event in Austin, TX. 

As described on the SXSWEDU.com website, “Spark is a highly developed prototype that provides comprehensive resources and engaging activities for children with autism while equipping caregivers and [therapists] with collaborative monitoring and configuration tools. The application embraces the unique needs of children on the spectrum, offering a safe and enriching environment for growth and development, advancing them at the appropriate pace, while providing key data to caregivers.

“The Student Impact Challenge celebrates what youth leaders are doing to improve facets of society through projects and solutions they develop to address social, economic, and environmental issues. It also provides high school students who are making an impact in their 

community with an opportunity to share their talents, validate and refine their ideas, and gain experience.”

Nandana competed against five finalists from Nigeria, Brazil, and Canada as well as Virginia and Washington.  She launched her app last fall and also runs a non-profit called Autism Unity Initiative (AUI), which provides vital resources and support for individuals diagnosed with autism, as well as their caregivers.