CSUDH and leading American renewable energy company Arevon hosted the inaugural Arevon Applied Innovation Renewable Energy (AIRE) Competition on April 15, bringing together student creativity and industry leadership to address critical energy challenges.
Open to student teams from CSUDH and local community colleges, the competition centered around the best application of innovative technologies in the community for financial and social benefit. Fifteen teams first presented their ideas in pitch style and then were scored by expert judges in a science-fair style showcase.
Teams competed for a total of $32,000 in prizes generously provided by Arevon, including $15,000 for first place, $10,000 for second, $5,000 for third, and $2000 for the specialty prize.
“The AIRE Competition is about inspiring, empowering, and developing the next generation of renewable energy professionals,” said Arevon CEO Kevin Smith. “Arevon is proud to invest in students and partner with CSUDH to advance our shared goals of building healthier, more resilient communities.”
The winners of the 2025 AIRE Competition were:
- 1st Place – CSUDH students Joseph Cuevas and Kain Valentine with ToroStride, which proposes capturing kinetic energy from footsteps on university walkways to provide clean power for campus lighting.
- 2nd Place – Los Angeles Trade Technical College student Ruby Garduno Espinoza, with plans to install solar-powered water refill stations at schools and parks in South L.A.
- 3rd Place – CSUDH student LaNeisha Hodo with a proposal for a community garden in collaboration with Associated Mothers in Action. The project is focused on reducing waste and enriching soil while supporting local agriculture.
- Specialty Winner – CSUDH students Jazel Brown and Amayah Miller with KE Park, which envisions installing phone charging stations at public parks powered by the kinetic energy of playground activities.
“This competition reflected the ingenuity, excellence, and drive of these students, who will be integral in building a sustainable, equitable future for this region,” said President Thomas A. Parham. “Our innovators proved their ability to translate what they are learning in the classroom into real, applicable solutions that will improve the quality of life in our communities. That is the type of genius we endeavor to cultivate at CSUDH, and we thank Arevon for their partnership and investment.”
At the competition, City of Carson Councilmember Arleen Rojas expressed excitement about the CSUDH-Arevon partnership.
“Today symbolizes the power of having a shared vision for our community,” said Councilwoman Rojas.
“Carson is at the forefront of the clean energy transition, and partnerships like this demonstrate how vital collaboration is between our academic institutions and private sector partners to make this vision a reality.”
