Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s Grad Summit 2025 and Upcoming Trivia Night Event

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What does it take to thrive in college as a first-generation student? Earlier this summer, 35 recent high school graduates from Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s Class of 2025 came together to answer that question and prepare for the exciting journey ahead.

The Challenges First-Gen Students Face

First-generation students often face unique hurdles that their peers with college-going families do not. Many navigate the admissions process without guidance from family members who have been through it before. Once on campus, they may feel pressure to balance school with jobs to support their families, or experience “imposter syndrome” when surrounded by peers with more established support networks. Even understanding basics like how office hours work, how to access financial aid, or how to find mentors can feel overwhelming without someone to model the way.

Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s mission is to empower students from under-resourced communities to be the first in their families to graduate from college. Grad Summit 2025 was a critical step in that journey. From financial literacy to mentorship, the program prepared students not just for the academic challenges of college, but for the personal growth and resilience required to succeed.

Held July 11–12 at San José State University, the immersive two-day, overnight event gave students the skills, resources, and confidence they need to succeed in college. With support from Tech CU and the San Jose Sharks, the Summit helped prepare students to tackle both academic and personal challenges head-on. Sponsorship also helped cover the cost of student lodging, meals, transportation, and workshop materials, while supporting Breakthrough’s scholarship fund, which awarded graduating seniors $500–$1,500 scholarships at their Senior Celebration.

The event featured:

• An Interactive Finance 101 Financial Literacy Workshop, which covered essentials like budgeting, opening a bank account, using credit cards wisely, and understanding student loans. Designed with first-gen students in mind, the workshop provided practical advice and relatable personal stories to help students make smart financial decisions.
• A First-Gen Professional Panel where Sharks employees shared their own college and career journeys. Students heard honest reflections about navigating higher education, overcoming challenges, and seizing opportunities, offering both inspiration and practical insight.
• A Networking Mixer where Sharks staff and Tech CU employees connected one-on-one with students. This casual setting gave students valuable encouragement, career insights, and a growing network of support.

Beyond Grad Summit: Trivia Night Tradition

In addition to Grad Summit, Tech CU also proudly sponsors Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s annual “Are You Smarter Than a Breakthrough Student?” Trivia Night. This lively community event brings together supporters, alumni, and students for an evening of friendly competition. Guests put their trivia knowledge to the test while hearing directly from students and alumni about their journeys to and through college.

This year’s event is coming up soon!

Thursday, October 23, 2025
6:00–9:00 PM
Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Event details for “Are You Smarter Than a Breakthrough Student?” 

We’d love to have you join us to celebrate a year of growth, compete in a fun game of trivia, and hear powerful stories of perseverance and success from Breakthrough students and alumni.

Learn More

To learn more about Breakthrough’s work or to explore ways to support their mission, visit Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s website.

Together, we are helping ensure every student has the tools, resources, and confidence to succeed in college and beyond.