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TBR Staff

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TBR News Media covers everything happening on the North Shore of Suffolk County from Cold Spring Harbor to Wading River.

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Plants need stems to survive. They provide structural support and connect the roots to the leaves and flowers, making it possible to bring water, nutrients and sugars throughout the plant.

Similarly, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) serves a critical function for society.

As with the rest of a plant, STEM is not the only part that nourishes our culture, but it does offer critical support that makes it possible to adapt to future challenges and to push the frontier of human knowledge.

This week, we and scientists around the world celebrated the long-anticipated grand opening of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, a telescope and camera so advanced that it has already spotted 2,400 asteroids we hadn’t previously seen.

This state-of-the-art camera was funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, making it possible to see deep into space and to ask questions about changes around us as well as dark matter and dark energy.

“NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory reflects what’s possible when the federal government backs world-class engineers and scientists with the tools to lead,” Harriet Kung, acting director of the DOE’s Office of Science said in a statement.

Indeed!

This project echoes some of the cutting edge science efforts that the federal government supported after World War II.

STEM funding supports translational research, which addresses questions like what molecule can scientists target to slow or stop the progression of cancer or what plant genes can enhance resistance to disease or environmental extremes. It can also support basic research that explores what causes a cell to divide, to die, or to differentiate.

Both of these areas of research have led to important discoveries that have contributed to society. Researchers credit their achievements with the opportunity and knowledge they received from previous generations of scientists who, like runners in a relay race, pass the baton to the next generation of great thinkers and explorers.

Science funding has among the highest returns on investment of any federal funding, Cutting funding to areas like the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and other federal programs can impede the ability of science and society to grow and respond to change.

The current budget proposal for 2026 suggests a 40 percent cut to the NIH, which would reduce the number of institutes from 27 to eight. Yikes!

Further up the chain, societal growth also depends on supporting the education of students who can go from a classroom where they learn about what’s known to a field where they can rewrite the textbooks they had studied.

Canceling grants to STEM education not only threatens the students who miss out on chances to learn, but also society, which won’t benefit from the spark of inspiration these students receive.

The federal government must continue to invest in STEM. The future growth of our society – with businesses, cures for diseases and an expanding knowledge base that enables us to live healthier and better lives – depends on it.

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Boeing Model 40. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The month of July has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in July 1925.

• The Kuomintang proclaim a new national government for the Republic of China on July 1. • Nikolai Golitsyn is executed by the Soviet Union on July 2. Golitsyn, the last prime minister of the Russian Empire, was charged with participating in a counterrevolutionary monarchist organization. The Bolsheviks granted Golitsyn an opportunity to leave the Soviet Union, but the 75-year-old aristocrat chose to stay.

• Forty-four people lose their lives when a ceiling collapses inside the Pickwick Club in Boston on July 4. The club was hosting a Fourth of July celebration when a ceiling above roughly 120 people dancing at 3:30 a.m. collapses.

• The treasury of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is robbed on July 4. Police report between five and seven million lira worth of valuables, including gold crosses and other religious objects, were stolen during the heist. Numerous arrests are made and stolen items are recovered just two days later.

• The Boeing Airplane Company test flies its first passenger aircraft, the Boeing Model 40, on July 7.

• Ralph Samuelson becomes the first person to perform a ski jump on water while performing at a water carnival on Lake Pepin in Minnesota on July 8. Samuelson eventually earns the nickname “The Father of Waterskiing.”

• Ecuadoran president Gonzalo Córdova is arrested and removed from office by the Military League on July 10.

• The Scopes Monkey Trial begins in Dayton, Tennessee, on July 10. Scopes is ultimately found guilty of violating the Butler Act and fined $100 on July 21.

• English high school student Phyllis Green breaks the world record for the women’s high jump on July 11. The 17-year-old Green becomes the first female competitor to jump higher than five feet.

• A mob of 200 white residents of the logging town of Toledo, Oregon, kidnap 29 residents of Asian descent on July 12. The kidnapped residents are placed on a train bound for Portland. Five mob leaders are ultimately arrested and one of the residents is eventually awarded financial damages for violation of his civil rights.

• Archaeologists in what is now the Czech Republic discover one of the oldest ceramic figurines in the world on July 13. The roughly four-inch artifact is estimated to be from before 24,000 B.C.

• The Canadian province of Saskatchewan repeals the Prohibition Act of 1916 on July 16.

• A flood wall collapses on July 17 after several days of heavy rains in Hong Kong. Eighty people are killed after a landslide sparks the collapse of the wall.

• The first volume of Adolf Hitler’s autobiographical manifesto Mein Kampf is published on July 18.

• Britain enacts the first Palestinian Citizenship Order, 1925, on July 24. The act officially defines a Palestinian for the first time and remains in effect until 1948.

• American lawyer, orator and politician William Jennings Bryan, who ran for president three times between 1896 and 1908, dies in his sleep on July 26. Bryan’s death comes just five days after he obtained a guilty verdict in the Scopes Trial.

• George Seldes is ordered to leave Italy on July 27. Seldes was in the country as an American correspondent for the Chicago Tribune and refused to alter the tone of one of his dispatches that was critical of the Fascist government led by Benito Mussolini.

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By Anisha Makovicky

America is the land of opportunities they say, we just have to work hard and we can succeed. As a high school student, I have watched the current administration strip students such as myself of the opportunities that will allow us to build a successful future. The current funding cuts do not impact just science research but also education. According to a report published by Education Week in May 2025, the National Science Foundation, under the Trump administration, canceled over 400 grants for STEM education.

The administration has even cut funding for PBS Kids, which was created to bring STEM education to children of lower class families. I can’t imagine any benefits to discouraging our future doctors, engineers, scientists and leaders from science. If high school students are not allowed to start pursuing science early, they will be set back in the future. And since one day we will all depend on this next generation of scientists, doctors and engineers, setting back high school students will set back our whole country, not just in science. 

Everyone should be worried about cuts to science and education funding. These affect entire families, students and educators. Parents are worried that their children will lack future opportunities to become involved in STEM fields. High school students are primarily affected by the loss of programs and reduced chances to gain experiences to form their career ideas. Educators and teachers are not able to do their jobs and support students as they did in the past. Knowledge generated by scientists trickles down to the high school curriculum but if science is limited, there will be less knowledge passed down, meaning that future high schoolers will be at a lower standing. This domino effect will have a cascading impact on future generations. 

A well rounded education is important for everyone, not just students who aspire to attend competitive colleges. As a society, we believe a high school education is crucial for making informed decisions and helping one understand the world better. This is especially relevant because for many people, a high school diploma is the highest level of education they will receive. Federally funded education programs offer different ways of learning both in and outside classrooms. Experiential learning such as hands-on curricula through internships, public education programs, museums and field trips expand upon the standard public school curricula. This is important because students learn in different ways and non-classroom learning experiences are especially beneficial for students with learning disabilities or different capacities to engage. These diverse types of opportunities are necessary to ensure every student is given a chance to succeed. 

Over 50% of NSF funding cuts have been to education programs, according to the Hechinger Report. 1,400 grants have been cut, and 750 of those were to STEM education. That equates to about $775 million that could have helped students engage with STEM. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began the cuts to reduce diversity, equity, and inclusion in scientific research. While it is understandable to want our federal government to run efficiently, cutting scientific research and education will have little effect on the efficiency of our government and the lasting impacts will put our entire nation at a disadvantage. It is imperative that we protect our equal access to education in order to create a better future.

Anisha Makovicky is a student at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School. 

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Ron Bernardini stands in front of his cherished turquoise 1952 Ford Crestline.
A scene from the 2025 AHEPA charity car show in Port Jefferson. Photo by Caroline O'Callaghan
A scene from the 2025 AHEPA charity car show in Port Jefferson. Photo by Caroline O'Callaghan
A scene from the 2025 AHEPA charity car show in Port Jefferson. Photo by Caroline O'Callaghan
From left to right: Town Clerk Kevin J. LaValle, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, AHEPA President George Kallas and Ray Iasili pose while receiving awards at the fourth annual AHEPA Ch. 319 car show. Photo by Caroline O'Callaghan

By Caroline O’Callaghan

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption of Port Jefferson was the poised backdrop for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Chapter 319’s fourth annual charity car show on Saturday, June 21. The multisponsored event was held to raise money for the organization Agape Meals for Kids, whose mission is to help provide essential meals to local children who experience food insecurity. Residents and local representatives bore the heat in support of a great cause. 

Visitors and car enthusiasts enjoyed the show of vintage vehicles, locally provided food trucks and virtual driving simulation games.

To mark the fourth consecutive gathering, several supporters of the car show were honored during a humbling ceremony. One of those supporters was Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D, 4). Kassay noted the large number of sponsorships was in direct correlation to the significance of the event for its community. 

“The sponsorships behind us really show just how much support there is for this work for these individuals, how much work goes into getting these funds from our local businesses to the charities that are supported like Agape Meals for Kids, which we’re so grateful [to have] for our local children,” said Kassay.

Kassay also honored Ray Iasili, who has been a devoted admin of the AHEPA Ch. 319 car show since its conception, with a Proclamation Citation for his outstanding service to the community. 

“I see you’re shaking your head because you’re a humble man, but truly, the work that you do, you will never know the depth of support that you’ve brought to families and continue to do so. You know it in your heart, and our families feel it and we need to recognize you and that work today,” Kassay told Iasili. 

Kassay was referring to the enormous impact that the car show has had on Agape Meals for Kids. The charity’s president, Irene Michalos, was also honored. Michalos praised AHEPA Ch. 319 for their exponential contributions since Agape began its mission four years ago. “When we packed our first 137 backpacks in December of 2021, we couldn’t have imagined that number would grow to over 18,000, but here we are and your support made that possible,” Michalos said to the crowd. 

For those who came out to show their cars and compete in its competition, the small event gave way to big kindnesses. Ron Bernardini came through with his turquoise 1952 Ford Crestline. The car was a showstopper to visitors, and Bernardini was happy with the turnout. 

“Today’s a very small show, but a very nice show,” said Bernardini, “the people were all very lovely and they appreciate older things, so they’ve been very kind and very complimentary.” Bernardini continued, “People respect older things that are taken care of, and what can I say? This car is the embodiment of that.” 

The future of the annual AHEPA Ch. 319 charity car show is bright, according to Iasili, who hopes the event continues to grow.

“I just love everybody that comes out and helps and supports,” Iasili said. “Let’s do it again next year for a bigger crowd.”

–Photos by Caroline O’Callaghan

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By TBR Staff

TBR News Media sent a Q&A to local salutatorians and valedictorians, asking about the strategies that helped them become their school’s top performers. Here are the scholars leading Earl L. Vandermeulen’s Class of 2025 in the Port Jefferson School District.

Sara Freitas: Valedictorian
 • GPA: Weighted – 103.0; Unweighted – 99.5
 • Activities: Interact Club (President), Investment Club (President), Environmental Club (President), International Club (Secretary), LEO Club (Secretary)
 • Attending Brown University to study Applied Mathematics

Jax Moore: Salutatorian
 • GPA: Weighted – 102.88; Unweighted – 99.64
 • Activities: Science Olympiad (Grades 9–12; 3-time medalist), GSA (Secretary), National Honor Society, Virtual Tutor, Save A Pet volunteer, STEM program (Grades 9–11), Fall Play, Environmental Club Fundraiser Organizer
 • Attending Binghamton University to study Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?
 Freitas: I would encourage incoming freshmen to pursue what catches their attention, no matter what that interest may be. It’s easy to lose sight of oneself in the modern world. Amongst pressures to appease others and chase a lucrative career path, I’d encourage younger students to live for themselves, work for their goals, and remain true to themselves; that is the only way true success can be achieved.
Moore: Don’t let yourself get caught up in comparison or what you “should” be doing. At the end of the day, the number of AP classes you took or your grade in a certain class don’t matter; it’s more important to explore your passions and learn something new.

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?
 Freitas: It’s easy to stay motivated when you change your perspective. Although it’s human nature to burn out and require relaxation, I am always able to find my way back to my studies by remembering it is a privilege, not a chore, to learn. I try to remind myself that studying is for my benefit; it’s not just an assignment. Rather, it’s my future.
 Moore: I’ve always been a very driven person who sets lofty goals for myself, and it’s that drive that motivated me to try my hardest throughout high school.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.
Freitas: My study habits have shifted through the years as coursework has grown increasingly cumbersome. I’d recommend studying for tests about five or so days in advance whenever possible. It allows you as a learner to take control. By the day of the test, the material will feel second nature. Besides that, making notecards can be helpful to conceptualize information.
 Moore: The system I found that works best for me is periodically taking notes on what work I need to complete for each class I’m in. Then, when I get home from school, I’ll go through that list and start with the tasks that need to be done first. To keep myself motivated, I often start with the assignment that I think will be easiest because it’s easier to transition into doing something harder when you’re already in “work mode.” I also keep my phone in another room to avoid distractions. One of the key parts of high school is discovering how you learn best and developing time management skills.

What are your goals or career aspirations?
 Freitas: This is tentative to change, but as of now I am interested in mathematics. I’m not sure how this will look in a career, so for now my goal is to successfully complete college. I think it would be amazing to become a Mathematician, but I’m not sure if this is the perfect fit for me.
 Moore: I plan on going into medical research and/or practicing medicine.

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TBR News Media sent a Q&A to local salutatorians and valedictorians, asking about the strategies that helped them become their school’s top performers. Here are the top scholars of Shoreham-Wading River High School’s Class of 2025.

Eden Yiya Hu: Valedictorian
 • GPA: 104.56
 • Activities: Manhattan School of Music Precollege Program, Tri-M Music Honor Society, High School Research Program at Brookhaven National Lab, National Honor Society, Global Awareness Club
 • Attending Yale University to study Biology

Kerrin McGuire: Salutatorian
 • GPA: 104.47
 • Activities: Varsity Girls Lacrosse (starter since 8th grade), Varsity Girls Track, Varsity Girls Cross Country, Natural Helpers, Tri-M Music Honor Society, National Honor Society (President), Women in Science and Engineering Club, Chamber Orchestra, National English Honor Society, SADD
 • Attending University of Virginia to study nursing

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?
 Hu: Make time for yourself and have fun!
 McGuire: For all incoming freshmen, I would tell them to enjoy their high school experience and to not be afraid to try new things. I would encourage them to try their best in everything that they do, and find the study methods that work for you. Everyone’s path is different and it’s important not to compare your success to your peers.

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?
 Hu: Balancing work with spending time with friends and family helped me come back to my studies with a fresh mind.
 McGuire: I stayed motivated throughout my studies by thinking long-term. I knew from the start that I wanted to be in the medical field, so I was determined to try 110% to reach my end goal. With good grades and a well-rounded schedule, I could get into some very difficult colleges—so I tried my very best! I was always in it to self-improve and see what I, as an individual, could work on—I tried to not compare myself to others.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.
 Hu: Watching YouTube videos or AP Classroom videos on the topics I need extra clarification on was very helpful.
 McGuire: Some study habits I employed that helped me maintain high grades included watching videos and note taking, practicing questions, and creating study guides. I learned the most from watching online and AP Classroom videos that explained in depth the concepts I was struggling with, while writing down key points and details. Practice questions always helped with repetition, taking my knowledge and applying it to multiple choice and free response styles. Finally, I made numerous study guides for each unit for my classes before tests and quizzes, jotting down the most important information and the information I struggled with the most to glance at throughout the day or on-the-go.

What are your goals or career aspirations?
 Hu: I want to get into pharmaceutical research and teach private violin lessons in my free time.
 McGuire: I hope to become a pediatric nurse anesthetist. I will do this by going to college for four years majoring in nursing, then working in a tertiary hospital for one year as an RN, then going back for graduate school for three years to receive my CRNA license.

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Harbor road, Stony Brook, blocked off. A collapsed dam stood just beneath the road, to the immediate left of Stony Brook Harbor. Photo by Denis Lynch

By Emily Mandracchia

Nearly one year after Harbor Road in Stony Brook collapsed, the unrepaired road is raising serious public safety concerns for residents and first responders. The delay has led to increased emergency response times and growing fears that the situation could result in avoidable loss of life or property.

At a June 17 Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medical Services & Preparedness Committee (FRES) meeting in Hauppauge, residents and officials voiced frustration over the inaction and jurisdictional confusion surrounding the collapsed roadway. They warned that the current detours and narrow, curving side roads are not appropriate for emergency access and are already contributing to slower response times for fire and EMS services.

Beth Zweig, a resident of Head of the Harbor, said the risk is not theoretical. “This is not speculation. Five and seven minutes could be the difference between a person found DOA or a house burned down,” she told attendees, describing the main thoroughfare as “nearly impassible.”

In response to public pressure following a community rally earlier this year, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) promised to provide a list of provisions that would render them comfortable signing the FEMA application. Instead, according to a June 10 letter from WMHO’s attorney, the organization presented a list of stipulations that the town and federal government would need to meet in order to access the site for repairs — without accepting ownership or signing off on the application.

The lack of a signed agreement is preventing FEMA funding, which is tied to a 30-month deadline for project completion. Nearly 10 months have already passed. If the parties fail to act soon, the funding could be rescinded. Suffolk County Legislator Robert Trotta estimates repairs could cost $8 to $10 million.

Dominick Thorne, a Suffolk County legislator and member of the Public Safety Committee, warned at the June 17 meeting that continued delays not only jeopardize FEMA funding, but could expose all involved parties to greater legal risk if emergency response is compromised.

“There will be more lawsuits if someone calls the fire department and they don’t make it,” Thorne said.

The Village of Head of the Harbor officials have expressed concern that the current situation has created unsafe conditions for residents and placed emergency responders in a difficult position. 

Public safety officials have not confirmed whether any formal emergency response assessments or contingency plans have been issued regarding Harbor Road, and no agency has stepped forward to assume full responsibility for leading the recovery.

Community members have called on Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine to take a leadership role in coordinating a resolution, citing his prior involvement with infrastructure issues and relationships with local stakeholders. As of this writing, no direct action has been announced by the county executive’s office.

For residents and first responders alike, the concern is that the longer the road remains closed, the higher the chance of a preventable tragedy.

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TBR News Media sent a Q&A to local salutatorians and valedictorians, asking about the strategies that helped them become their school’s top performers. Here are the scholars leading Centereach High School’s Class of 2025 in the Middle Country Central School District.

Centereach High School Valedictorian Shawn Edbert

Shawn Edbert: Valedictorian

•GPA:  102.39.

•Activities: Robotics Club, Captain of the Varsity Golf Team, National Honor Society & National Technical Honor Society, French Horn. 

•Attending University of Pennsylvania

Ben Taciak: Salutatorian

•GPA: 102.0

•Activities: General Organization President (Student Body President), National Honor Society President, Environmental E-STEM Secretary, Math Team, Science Olympiad, Varsity Golf, Varsity Wrestling

•Attending SUNY Binghamton

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?

 Edbert: My biggest advice would probably be to try new things. Get involved around you and figure out what you actually want to do. From there, you can weed out the activities you don’t like and really put all your effort and talents into the things you enjoy. Another tip is don’t do extracurricular activities just to have them. Do them because you actually enjoy what they offer whether it be a sport, club, etc.

 Taciak: I would recommend that freshmen get as involved as they can in whatever activities the school offers. They should try things outside of their comfort zone to find their passions, then ceaselessly work to further pursue those passions throughout the rest of their high school career.

Centereach High School Salutatorian Ben Taciak

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?

 Edbert: I like to plan out the work I need to do each day so I don’t have an entire worksheet or assignment to do at the end of the week. I also prioritized having a good work-life balance. I always find it hard to just grind out school work without giving myself some fun in between. Hanging out with friends, watching a movie or show were both ways I enjoyed some time outside the classroom. Getting sleep at night was also important for me. I would never do work past 9:30 p.m. to ensure I get enough sleep and can continue my days with full energy.

 Taciak: I set small goals for myself (ex: study for 15 minutes today) so I wouldn’t be daunted by the larger tasks ahead of me. This helped me stay diligently focused on my larger goals like getting into college while minimizing burnout. I also emphasized the importance of having a work/life balance, making sure I spent time with my friends instead of solely focusing on my studies.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.

 Edbert: For the majority of my studying, I actually liked listening to noise in the background. I’ve actually put on shows in the background just to get me through all of the work I need to complete. I also like to work with other people. Teaching other peers the work I am learning helps me learn the material significantly more thoroughly.

 Taciak: For me, studying has always been difficult. I was never able to focus for long periods of time using all of the famous strategies and thus, I would work inefficiently. I felt like this for years until my brother gave me a valuable piece of advice: “Not every car works best using the same oil; you can’t expect the strategies that work for others to always work for you.” This changed my perspective and taught me to seek out what made me work as best as I could. For me, this is to go to a place like a library, use noise-canceling headphones, and play white noise while taking 5-minute rest intervals every 30 minutes.

What are your goals or career aspirations?

 Edbert: I am planning to try and get a dual degree in business and engineering. I want to try and startup my own company in the future focusing on the defense segment.

 Taciak: I hope to get a dual degree in Finance and Data Science and then work in the buy side of Private Equity.

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TBR News Media sent a Q&A to local salutatorians and valedictorians, asking about the strategies that helped them become their school’s top performers. Here are the scholars leading Ward Melville High School’s Class of 2025 in the Three Village Central School District.

Oliver Wu: Valedictorian
 • GPA: 105.36
 • Activities: Kaleidoscope Newspaper (Editor), Tri-M Music Honor Society (President), Long Island Youth Development Music Club, Bluegrass Club, DECA
 • Attending Princeton University to study Public & International Affairs

Alexander Song: Salutatorian
 • GPA: 104.84
 • Activities: Ward Melville Iron Patriots, Manhattan School of Music Precollege Program, SchoolNova TA, Tri-M Music Honor Society
 • Attending UCLA to study Computer Science

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?
 Wu: The path to “success” is often circuitous. Not everything you do has to (or should) directly or immediately contribute to a goal you have. Be a good person, care for yourself and others, keep space for what you love — these things all have so much value. It shouldn’t be an expectation for you to hollow yourself out in the name of “success.”
 Song: Get enough sleep!

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?

 Wu: Nothing like Lorde’s “The Louvre” playing in the background on repeat as I stare at a question I don’t understand (yet). A lot of people say they give 110% in everything they do. I’m gonna echo Michelle Zauner’s mother and say: give 90%, always save 10% of yourself.
 Song: I pursued what I truly cared about, which gave me the motivation to keep going forward.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.
 Wu: Everyone’s saying this, but I need to repeat it: we all underestimate the extent to which our technology has wrecked our brains and destroyed our ability to think with clarity. Keep reading things you enjoy! It makes focusing when you need to study so much more manageable.
 Song: I study with my friends, I use active recall, and I create practice problems for myself.

What are your goals or career aspirations?
 Wu: Something in government or government-adjacent as a policymaker.
 Song: I’m interested in robotics and computer vision.

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TBR News Media sent a Q&A to local salutatorians and valedictorians, asking about the strategies that helped them become their school’s top performers. In Smithtown Central School District, an honor speaker is chosen by the graduating class of each high school instead of prescribing to the valedictorian and salutatorian distincion. Rabia Chattha is the honor speaker for Smithtown High School East. At Hauppague High School, Sara Conquet was valedictorian and Ayaan Shah was salutatorian.

Rabia Chattha
 • GPA: 4.45
 • Activities: President of Science Olympiad, President of National Honor Society, member of multiple honor societies, Varsity Track and Cross Country Teams, Volunteer Ambulance Corps, co-founder of Game4AC
 • Attending Stony Brook University to study Biochemistry on the Pre-Med track

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?
Try everything from class to clubs, even if it isn’t your first choice, because you never know what you’ll end up liking. I’ve learned that high school is the perfect time to explore new interests and step outside your comfort zone.

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?
Rather than only focusing on one long-term goal, I set many short-term ones as stepping stones. Whether it’s aiming to get a good grade on a test coming up in a week or working toward my dream of becoming a physician, these goals keep me focused.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.
My biggest study habit that has helped me is time management. I use planners and to-do lists to stay organized. After each class, if there is an upcoming test, I rewrite all of my notes, and if I notice a flaw, I practice a lot to better my weaknesses in that subject.

What are your goals or career aspirations?
In the future, I aspire to become a physician. It has been my dream since I was young to help others through medicine and to truly make a difference in people’s lives.

—————-

Sara Conquet: Valedictorian
 • GPA: 103.23
 • Activities: Chamber Orchestra, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, English Honor Society, History Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Quiz Bowl
 • Attending Vassar College to study Neuroscience

Ayaan Shah: Salutatorian
 • GPA: 102.92
 • Activities: Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, Science Bowl, Coding Club, Chamber Orchestra (cello), Varsity Tennis, National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, German Honor Society, English Honor Society
 • Attending Georgia Institute of Technology to study Electrical Engineering

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?
 Conquet: Don’t just focus on grades, even when it seems like school encompasses every part of your life. Try to enjoy your classes, especially classes with content that you enjoy learning about — this may even help you figure out what you want to do after high school. Also remember that school isn’t just about schoolwork, even if most of the time it seems like it’s just about classes and grades. Remember the people — the friends, the teachers, the coaches — that motivate you to get through the day and give you reasons to smile. Thank them, spend time with them, and remind them how important they are to you.
 Shah: My best advice for freshmen would be to take in everything. It is easy to say that a certain subject or class is useless, but you never know what you are interested in if you do not stay open to learning. The second part to this is to try everything. You are at the optimal part of your life where you can learn new hobbies and build lifelong interests, and now is the time to start. Join new clubs, participate in sports, explore new subjects, and do not let any opportunity pass you by.

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?
 Conquet: I always reminded myself of my goals and of how maintaining good grades would allow me to get into a better college and have a more successful future. I also often engaged in friendly competition with some of my peers, and trying to get grades as high as or higher than theirs helped motivate me.
 Shah: One of the most important aspects of my life that allowed me to focus on my future goals has been my parents. They always supported my academics, pushed me toward perfection, and aided me when I was unsure exactly what I wanted to do as a career.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.
 Conquet: Actively taking notes while the teacher is instructing (in lecture-type classes), taking practice tests in a quiet environment and treating them as if they were the actual test (then grading the tests and assessing my weaknesses and strengths), prioritizing subjects based on difficulty and the dates of the exams.
 Shah: One of the best study habits has been to really focus during class and take detailed notes. Even just taking your own notes on blank paper is really helpful to memorize content. Another important point is to remember everything. A school year is not very long, so you should keep everything in mind and not let anything go.

What are your goals or career aspirations?
 Conquet: I would like to eventually conduct professional scientific research and pursue a professional degree. I would like to participate in or lead significant research which could possibly benefit the lives of others and contribute to advancements in medicine and science.
 Shah: I am going to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering. I intend to particularly focus on computer hardware. As a part of this, I hope to participate in various scientific research projects to expand my knowledge and engineering skills.

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