SCIENCE
Volume 81 Issue 7
SURVEY
The Bronx High School of Science Senior Class Valedictorian and
Salutatorian Announced
Seniors Alex LaGrassa and Yuqing (Carrie) Wang are the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of
2014 respectively. LaGrassa is to attend the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and Wang is to attend the
University of Pennsylvania next fall.
LaGrassa, who recalls her average as “somewhere around 97.9,” was
surprised to find out that she had the
highest grades from among her seven
hundred and forty six fellow seniors.
“Most of the past valedictorians and
salutatorians came from speech and
debate so I initially thought they considered that as criteria for selection.
LaGrassa hopes to
pursue
technology,
but enjoys knitting
cat toys and trying out
new things such as ice
skating and wrestling
in her spare time.
Wang, who transferred to Bronx Science in her sophomore
year, was also surprised to find out that
she had earned the
title of salutatorian.
“I got a guidance
notice sixth period
and thought, ‘Am
I in trouble?’ I saw
Alex on the way to
the principal’s office and said, ‘Do
you think it’s about
valedictorian and saCarrie Wang (Left) and Alex LaGrassa (Right). lutatorian?’ She said
no. And truth be told,
I didn’t believe it either,” recalled
Carrie and I were laughing afterWang. “It was a genuine surprise.”
wards, since we were both mathematiWang attributes her 97.5 avercally-minded, so writing a speech would
age to doing her homework, always
be a challenge,” explained LaGrassa.
studying for tests, napping, cofThough MIT is notorious for its
fee, and never pulling an all-nighter.
hard working and grade-driven stu“Try to sleep as often as you can…
even if it’s just a nap,” advised Wang.
Although Wang hopes to study computer
science, she is unsure of whether she wants
to go into industry or remain in academia.
Outside of school, Wang is an avid
Game of Thrones reader, alongside drawdents, LaGrassa advised against woring, playing guitar, and watching anime.
rying about grades. “I took classes in
Both students are slated to give
subjects I enjoyed whenever possible.
speeches at the graduation ceremony
What really matters is your passion for
held at the Beacon Theatre on June 24th,
the subject…Grades are just numbers.”
“Grades are just
numbers.”
Tyson to Give Commencement
Speech
By EVAN LERNER
EDITORIAL 2-3
Testing 1,2,3..Tests a Day
This semester, a new testing
policy was implemented. Rather
than every department having the
option of two different weekdays
to give tests, it has been limited to
one weekday. The only exception
to this is the Biology and Physical Science Departments, which
still have two options for lab days.
more that she loves learning, is scientifically literate, knows where she wants to
land in adulthood, and has some sense of
how to get there.” This connection to the
Photo Credit: Bronx Science Observatory
Renowned astrophysicist and alumnus
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson will be giving the
commencement speech at the United Palace
Theatre for this year’s graduating class. Dr.
Tyson is well known as a science enthusiast
and often applies it to problems and tasks
across many fields. He plans to speak about
“knowing the difference between all that is
objectively true and all that is not, promoting
scientifically enlightened governance, and
embracing all the ways investments in science
and technology can save us from ourselves.”
A member of the graduating class of
1976, Tyson was the captain of the wrestling team and editor-in-chief of the
school’s Physical Science Journal. He
particularly valued the time he spent talking about science with fellow students, regarding it as one of his fondest memories.
Beyond being an alumnus himself, Dr.
Tyson is also a Bronx Science parent. His
daughter is a member of the graduating
class. When asked about this, he said it
was “a proud moment. But less that she’s
in the Bronx Science graduating class and
Senior Tyson in 1976
class has brought out unexpected interest and excitement from the students regarding his involvement in the graduation.
“He’s famous and all, but the reason I like
him is because I know his daughter,” com-
NEWS 4-5
Teenagers Speak Out: We Need Feminism
The I Need Feminism Because... movement arises at NYC high schools at a time of
increased awareness for women’s rights in
lieu of sexual assault on college campuses.
FEATURE 6-7
Color Me Spring
This year’s spring fashion forecast calls for
both strong classics and unexpected surprises along the way. Students are acting accordingly by transitioning into their new wardrobes.
mented Bronx Science Senior Mahir Khan.
Many students know Tyson as the host
of the Fox show Cosmos, but he has many
more accomplishments as a science communicator. He is also the director of the Hayden
Planetarium, at the American Museum of
Natural History, the author of many books,
including Death by Black Hole, and has
been vice president, president, and chairman of the board of the Planetary Society.
It is due to Dr. Tyson’s public stature as a
science leader and educator that many students and faculty alike are thrilled to have him
giving the commencement address. “I think
he is one of the more eloquent physics popularizers. He’s also a national figure and an exceptional speaker. I’m excited for his speech
and I’ll make sure to be there,” commented
Gary Hom, a Bronx Science physics teacher.
Regardless of where one’s interests and enthusiasms lay, many look forward to Dr. Neil
deGrasse Tyson’s commencement speech.
“He’s extraordinary, he represents everything Bronx Science stands for,” remarked
Senior Class Advisor Alexander Thorp.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 8-9
Science Artists Shine
June 2014
Back In
Kabusiness
Photo Credit: Julia Donheiser
By JULIA DONHEISER
“We’ve Got the
News Down To a
Science”
By ANNIE GENG
We’ve seen countless posters and videos of
them. We’ve heard their names uttered in the
hallways. We’ve even voted for them. But ultimately, the elected officers for next year’s student government are more than just politicians.
All three elected officers have ambitious goals
for next year. In his platform, next year’s president,
Kabou Yengo-Passy, laid out improvements to the
school such as a change to the one-cut policy for
underclassmen, the implementation of driver’s education classes, and a revamp to the bullying form.
Yengo-Passy, who had dropped out of the first
election due to familial conflicts, was tentative
about running for president again, but does not
regret it. “It was a pain balancing schoolwork, familial obligations, and the campaign all at once,”
writes Yengo-Passy in a Facebook post. “Nonetheless, I resolved to stick through it. Tenacity is
one of the most valuable qualities we can have;
we can accomplish anything within our grasp.”
Future vice president Demetrios Stratis is actively involved in the school community, and
serves as secretary of Model UN, president of
Greek Club, and a columnist on the Science Survey.
“It’s the desire in me
to fight for what is
just, and to provide
inspiration for
people, since in
freshman year, no one
provided that to me.”
However, it is his passion, rather than his extracurriculars, that motivates him. “What defines me is that I like helping people,” Stratis
said. “It’s the desire in me to fight for what is
just, and to provide inspiration for people, since
in freshman year, no one provided that to me.”
“There’s something about seeing indifference
and contempt, about listening to seniors complain, that made me want to do something,” Stratis continues. He adds that he wants to improve
the “accountability, the overall student attitude
and relation to the S.O.,” and begin “an active
S.O. with people who truly care about their fellow
students, and would give their time to use whatever little power they have to make a difference.”
Elected secretary Amira Farid is also an involved member of the Bronx Science community.
She actively participates in clubs such as PreMed and Amnesty as well as the Muslims’ Students Association (MSA) and the fencing team.
“MSA is important to me because it explains
to me many aspects of my religion, which is a
huge part of my life,” Farid commented. “PreMed is a club I thoroughly enjoy because it offers a hands-on experience in the career field I
hope to one day work in, and Amnesty was a club
I joined because its purpose is magnificent; I’ve
learned about the many difference injustices going
on all over the world, and what I can do to help.”
Farid’s involvement in school has inspired her
not only as a secretary, but as a person. “All of these
clubs bring out the best in me, they bring out my
passion and talent, and help me learn about things
I care a lot about,” said Farid. As secretary, Farid
hopes to provide constant social media updates, and
implement a Sports Fair to promote athletic involvement and a homecoming dance, among other ideas.
All three elected officers are enthusiastic and ready to help out the Bronx Science
community. Likewise, the student body eagerly awaits to see the change Yengo-Passy,
Stratis, and Farid will bring to the school.
SPOTLIGHT 10-11
The Secret Life of Teachers
Despite what many students may think, teachers actually do have lives outside of the classroom. English teacher Sam Grossman has been performing since
he was in high school, and continues to perform.
SPORTS 12
Behind the hard facts and numbers lies a hidden interest among
Bronx Science students: art. Literary publications such as Dynamo are
Bronx Science Athletes Take Colby College
well known throughout the school,
Three Bronx Science athletes will head to Colby Colbut now students are reaching belege this fall after they caught the eyes of coaches and reyond the Bronx Science community. cruiters for the selective New England liberal arts school.