July 16, 2025

Scholar Spotlight: Prince is Powered by SMASH, Poised to Make Impact at Stanford

From late-night TV repairs to Stanford-bound software engineer — how SMASH helped one student find his future in tech

When something broke in the Gadia house — a TV, a phone, the family computer — Prince Jayhon was the one they called.

Even as a kid growing up in Sacramento, he was the fixer. His mom leaned on him for tech help. His brother watched as he downloaded software and changed settings most adults didn’t dare touch. Prince didn’t always know what he was doing, but he kept trying.

“I’d stay up really late trying to figure it out,” he says. “I just wanted to solve it.”

He didn’t know it yet, but that quiet persistence — the curiosity to open things up, the patience to troubleshoot — would become the foundation for something bigger.

Today, Prince is preparing to attend Stanford University, with plans to major in computer science and eventually launch a career in artificial intelligence. And it all started with one big decision: applying to SMASH Academy.

A Leap Into the Unknown

Prince first learned about SMASH during his freshman year at Valley High School. A guest speaker visited his AVID class and introduced the program — a free summer STEM experience for high school students hosted on college campuses.

Students would live in dorms, take college-style classes, and build real-world tech projects.

It sounded amazing. It also sounded intimidating.

“I had never been away from home that long,” Prince says. “Especially after COVID, it felt like a lot.”

Still, something about the opportunity stuck with him. When his teacher pulled him aside and said, “I think this would be good for you,” Prince listened.

He applied. He got in. And in the summer that followed, everything changed.

Finding His Place at UC Berkeley

Prince was placed at SMASH UC Berkeley, one of several university campuses that host SMASH programs. From the moment he arrived, he felt something shift.

“Walking on that campus, staying in a dorm, going to class — it made college feel real for the first time,” he says.

Each day was filled with hands-on learning: design thinking, computer science, math problem-solving. He worked in teams, tackled design challenges, and stayed up late swapping ideas with his roommates.

“I met people from all over,” he says. “And everyone had the same mindset — to learn, to grow, to make something meaningful.”

It was the first time he saw a future in tech as something he could actually reach.

A Team, A Pitch, and a Turning Point

The most memorable moment came during his Design Thinking course, where Prince and his group developed an app inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

They spent two weeks brainstorming, prototyping, and refining their idea. Then they pitched it in Vision Decision, a SMASH site-level competition where teams present solutions to real-world problems.

“It wasn’t just an assignment,” Prince says. “We built something we cared about. And I learned how to communicate that — how to present, how to lead, how to listen.”

That experience helped Prince realize he didn’t just enjoy tech — he thrived in it. Not just in front of a screen, but as part of a team, solving problems that mattered.

More Than a STEM Program

What stood out most about SMASH, Prince says, was the environment. It wasn’t just academic — it was supportive.

“There were students like me. People who hadn’t had access to this kind of thing before, but who had the potential. We were all figuring it out together.”

For Prince, that mattered. And so did the cost: nothing.

“A lot of summer programs charge fees that would’ve made this impossible for my family. SMASH didn’t. It gave me access — and with it, the space to grow.”

From SMASH to Stanford

After SMASH, Prince returned to high school with a clear sense of purpose. He kept up with his AVID program, built out his skills, and focused on applying to colleges that would help him continue what SMASH started.

This fall, he’ll start his freshman year at Stanford University with support from an AVID Expansion Scholarship. His goal? To become a software engineer focused on AI — and eventually launch his own company.

“I want to create something that solves a real problem,” he says. “Something that helps people.”

The Skills That Stick

SMASH taught Prince more than technical concepts. It gave him tools he’ll carry into every space he enters — college, work, and beyond.

“I learned how to collaborate. How to pitch an idea. How to take feedback and turn it into something better,” he says. “Those are things you don’t always learn in school, but they make all the difference.”

He also found direction. While some of his peers are still figuring out their paths, Prince feels a few steps ahead.

“Before SMASH, I didn’t know what I wanted. After SMASH, I saw it clearly.”

For Students Thinking About Applying

Prince understands that not everyone jumps at the idea of living on a college campus as a high schooler. But he encourages students — especially rising 10th and 11th graders — to take the chance.

“If you’re unsure, apply anyway. Even if it’s outside your comfort zone, that’s where the growth is,” he says. “You won’t regret it.”

And for students who already love tech?

“Don’t wait to get started. SMASH is the perfect place to try, to learn, and to find out what you’re capable of.”

Quick Facts

Name: Prince Jayhon Gadia
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
High School: Valley High School
SMASH Site: UC Berkeley
Next Steps: Stanford University
Scholarship: AVID Expansion Scholar
Career Goal: Software Engineer (AI focus)

Want to Explore What’s Possible?

If you’re a rising 10th or 11th grader and you're interested in tech, coding, engineering, or building real solutions, SMASH Academy might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Applications open this fall. Learn more and sign up at www.smash.org.

Tags: Scholar Spotlight | SMASH Residential

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