Curating the NSC Hack4Impact 2025 Hackathon

I had the pleasure of curating the NSC Hack4Impact 2025 Hackathon, an event that brought together 50 participants across 12 dynamic teams. Their mission? To build innovative tech solutions focused on deepfake detection, prevention, education, awareness, and the ethical implications within AI.

The Hackathon Unfolded: A Weekend of Innovation and Growth

The NSC Hack4Impact 2025 Hackathon was a weekend truly dedicated to innovation, ethics, and impact. It was inspiring to witness fifty students across twelve teams engage in collaborative problem-solving and rapid prototyping. Many teams were tackling a hackathon for the very first time, yet they built impressive tools that seamlessly combined creativity, technical skill, and a strong sense of social responsibility.

Throughout the event, participants delved into critical themes such as deepfake detection and awareness, explored the nuances of digital identity, ethics, and AI rights, and practiced ethical technology design with a focus on the social impact of emerging technologies.

We celebrated their achievements with top projects including:

• 🥇 1st – RealSeal ($400 + Raspberry Pi Kits)
• 🥈 2nd – PadAi ($200 + Laptop Care Kits)
• 🥉 3rd – Laime ($80 + Infinity Cubes)
• 🎖 Honorable Mention – KAT ARS

Beyond the intense building, the hackathon served as a comprehensive launchpad. Students benefited from free meals, invaluable mentorship, a dynamic panel of industry experts, practical interview skill sessions, and access to free career resources including resume reviews, LinkedIn guidance, and even professional clothing. It was designed to be an environment where every participant could thrive.

Architecting Success: My Leadership in the Hackathon

Bringing the NSC Hack4Impact 2025 Hackathon to fruition was a profound and exhilarating experience, where I had the privilege of spearheading its comprehensive curation, organization, and management. From initial concept to post-event analysis, my focus was on creating an environment where student innovation could truly flourish.

• I meticulously designed and developed the entire event platform from the ground up, crafting a robust and secure website using Svelte/SvelteKit, TypeScript, and pnpm, deployed on a serverless host. My oversight encompassed every technical detail, includingDNS, hosting infrastructure, content management, SEO optimization, full-stack development, and comprehensive security protocols.
• I engineered and implemented a seamless registration system, complete with automated email workflows, ensuring a smooth and efficient onboarding experience for all participants.
• My responsibilities extended to the financial bedrock of the event, where I expertlymanaged all aspects of funding and budgeting, ensuring optimal resource allocation and financial viability.
• I conceived, developed, and executed the entire social media, event content, and marketing strategy, successfully attracting a diverse pool of participants and generating significant community engagement.
• I took point on all participant communications, providing consistent support, timely updates, and resolving inquiries throughout the event lifecycle, fostering a highly engaged and informed community.
• I meticulously crafted the hackathon's structure and detailed event plan, laying the foundation for a well-organized, impactful, and memorable experience for everyone involved.
• Beyond management, I personally photographed and edited all event visuals, capturing the dynamic energy and innovative spirit that defined the hackathon.
• I spearheaded the sourcing and organization of our distinguished lineup of speakers, panelists, and judges, bringing together industry leaders who provided invaluable mentorship and expertise.
• During event day operations, I maintained a vigilant presence, ensuring smooth execution and providing criticalon-the-spot technical support to competing teams, minimizing disruptions and maximizing productivity.
• Ultimately, my leadership was instrumental in curating an event where student innovation, advanced education, meaningful networking opportunities, and tangible career growth not only emerged but truly thrived.

Impact by the Numbers

The digital footprint of Hack4Impact 2025 speaks volumes about its reach and engagement. My efforts directly translated into the following key metrics:

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Contributors

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support and dedication of many individuals and organizations. A profound thank you to:

And finally, a massive thank you to all of our incredibleparticipants. Your creativity and dedication truly made the NSC Hack4Impact 2025 Hackathon a resounding success.

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." – Steve Jobs