The Wildcat Tribune at Dougherty Valley High School just got the kind of support most student papers only dream about. Tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Neel Somani stepped in with a first-of-its-kind “Knowledge Grant” to fund the school’s student-run newspaper. The donation covers printing, website upgrades, and distribution.
He also tossed in a little surprise: a brand-new domain name—**www.wildcattribune.com**—handed over to the students free of charge.
For a school paper already known for its big scoops (they interviewed Captain Sully right after the “Miracle on the Hudson”), this boost is more than a nice-to-have. It’s fuel.
“It’s More Than a Newspaper”
Ask anyone involved with the Tribune, and they’ll say it’s not just about ink and headlines. It’s a place where students learn how to write with purpose, dig into hard questions, and publish stories that matter. Journalism teacher Mitch Bathke put it plainly:
“The Wildcat Tribune has always been more than just a high school newspaper. It’s a space for students to develop their voices.”
This funding means students don’t have to worry about whether they’ll have the resources to publish—or how to keep up with the digital world. Now, they can focus on what matters: the stories.
A Little Background on the Donor
Neel Somani isn’t just tossing money around. He’s got history.
He used to be a quantitative researcher at Citadel, then built Eclipse, a blockchain project that’s raised $65 million. These days, he’s backing education efforts through the Neel Somani Scholarship Program. The Knowledge Grant is his newest addition.
And it started right here, at a high school in San Ramon, California.
“I’m excited to support the Wildcat Tribune and help empower the next generation of journalists,” Somani said. “This newspaper has a rich history of excellence in reporting.”
He’s not exaggerating.
March 27: Mark Your Calendars
To mark the occasion, the school is throwing a party. On March 27 at 4:00 PM, Dougherty Valley High will host a celebration. There’ll be food, drinks, and speeches from both staff and Somani himself.
Expect a mix of excitement, gratitude, and probably a few students angling for an autograph.
How This Impacts the Students
In a time when many school newspapers are cutting back—or vanishing altogether—this kind of support isn’t just rare. It’s a lifeline.
Students now have access to updated tools and better visibility. With a real domain and proper funding, the Wildcat Tribune can grow its online presence and expand how it tells stories.
More than that, it tells students their work is valuable. And worth supporting.
Neel Somani didn’t just write a check. He put real belief behind it. He saw a group of students committed to journalism and gave them a way to keep going—and grow.
For the Wildcat Tribune, this means longer print runs, better digital tools, and a shiny new home on the web. For everyone watching, it’s a reminder that student voices matter. And sometimes, with the right support, they can reach a lot further.
