In a school so devoted to STEM, numbers hold tremendous value at Bronx Science. But for Class of 2024 Valedictorian Manuel (Manu) Bosteels and Salutatorian Nora Berisha, their high averages represent only one facet of their many achievements and interests.
During their four years at Bronx Science, Bosteels earned a GPA of 99, and Berisha earned a GPA of 98.95. Within the classroom, both passionately engage in a plethora of subjects, including numerous Advanced Placement courses. “I had Calculus with Mr. Fomin last year, which was my most difficult class, but I don’t think I would be here without it,” Berisha ssaid. “It completely changed my work ethic and my perspective on school, grades, and education… [it was a reminder that] there’s power — and enjoyment — in learning.”
Their notable teachers spanned all departments of the school, from English to Physics. Both fondly remember Dr. Todd Davis’ Advanced Placement United States History class with Bosteels sharing that he “loved my APUSH class with Dr. Davis, who schedules his presentations down to the minute,” and Berisha adding that Dr. Davis “made learning history so fun. It was like he was telling a story each day in class [through his presentations].”
The list of names of faculty that inspired them goes on and on, as both recalled with gratitude the presence and attention their teachers provided. “Something that struck me after my first year at Bronx Science was how dedicated and knowledgeable all of the teachers here are, and the fact that they are all excited and happy to be here,” Bosteels said.
Beyond a shared love of learning, both Bosteels and Berisha commit to giving back to the school community, namely through the Big Sibs program, which involves mentoring incoming ninth graders as they acclimate to Bronx Science. Berisha is a Big Sib, while Bosteels serves as a director of the program. Through Berisha’s time with ninth graders and Bosteels’ organizing, they directly shape new students’ experiences by delivering presentations, organizing bonding events, and answering any and all related questions.
Bosteels also co-leads both the Mock Trial and Moot Court Teams, as well as the Science Theory Club. He further explained, “Moot court cases ask whether or not students can exercise a certain constitutional right in schools. That means it is immediately applicable to my daily life, and I am always finding out something new about the extent of my rights, or lack thereof…These kinds of questions and the research involved is a big part of what got me interested in philosophy, as they often bring up moral and ethical questions that don’t always agree with what the Supreme Court has said. It is complicated, but also particularly fun, when the arguments we come up with agree with the law but contradict our gut feelings.”
This spring, he also joined the ultimate frisbee team, noting that “it has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the week — it is a really fun sport and the people on the team are great. We did lose every league game this year…but regardless, it is an amazing time.”
Berisha is an active member of Senior Council and tutors outside of school. “I like extracurriculars where I get to help or connect with others in some way,” she said. “I was raised in a really big family [and I am the oldest kid], so because of that atmosphere, I’ve always liked to do things where I interact with others in a positive way, such as creating events for Senior Council or helping my Little Sibs [current ninth graders in an advisory] get through Bronx Science and reassuring them while also pushing them to challenge themselves a bit.”
She expanded on the role that Senior Council played in her Bronx Science experience. “Senior Council gave me the opportunity to connect with peers that I had never met before — going to a school with almost 3,000 students, you obviously aren’t able to meet and know everyone in your grade, but being on Senior Council was refreshing and amazing in the sense that it allowed me to form friendships with people that I had never had any classes or clubs with — in the council and just the seniors in general who would participate in events or even volunteer for them.”
In managing busy schedules and long commutes, they had similar words of wisdom: plan ahead — both have used a planner at different points — get enough sleep, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Berisha said, “Bronx Science pushed me to do so much more than I ever expected. I don’t regret pushing myself. Hard work always pays off.” She heavily endorses using the time to and from school to complete work, especially reading assignments.
Bosteels reflected on the importance of prioritizing self over perfection: “The number one tip I have is probably to make an executive decision to just stop working once it gets really late. It is important to learn when something is done even if it is not perfect, and besides, it is almost always better to turn something in that is ‘just O.K.’ than it is to go to school without enough sleep.”
This fall, Bosteels is headed to Yale University to study physics and philosophy. His interest in physics stems from reading Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Bronx Science alumnus Neil deGrasse Tyson ’76 and from what he learned in his first physics class last year. Bosteels said, “For me, physics was the first time a teacher began the year talking about learning a new way of thinking – and [was right].”
Bosteels continued, “I love Bronx Science a lot, and I am happy to be able to speak at the very end of our time at this school. My classes and teachers here have pushed me to understand my interests and skills better and learn how to organize myself. My three years here have also taught me about the kinds of people I want to surround myself with. My friends today are easily the best people I have ever met: they are intelligent, funny, opinionated, interesting, and kind. I definitely feel ready to graduate — ready to celebrate, to spend time with my friends over the summer, and to move into college in August — but I am sad to be leaving Bronx Science.”
Berisha similarly reflected on all that it has taken to get to this point, and the hope for what’s to come. “Bronx Science not only taught me how to be a driven student, but also a compassionate member of a community. Through [Senior Council] events, my classes, and the extracurriculars I’ve been a part of, I’ve seen how valuable being active members in a community can be — the way we support and uplift one another, whether it’s with covering someone’s shift in handing out senior t-shirts to Facetiming to help one another study for a test… [Now] it’s like everything has paid off. [Graduating] is very bittersweet, but the image I get is of the sun coming out after a storm. We’ve all been through so much, and now that graduation is coming, the mood and atmosphere are completely different… There’s some sadness but also this peace in this next step of our lives.”
Berisha intends to major in mathematics at Princeton University, where she will enroll this fall. She added, “I really like math, how you can expand and then cancel out — and in the end, get an answer. Math also seems imaginary sometimes, which I think is really cool, like Gabriel’s Horn with a finite volume, and an infinite surface area. Math is essential to depicting the world around us, yet it also holds these unimaginable scenarios.”
Manuel Bosteels and Nora Berisha will deliver their speeches at the Class of 2024’s 96th Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at The United Palace Theater.
Manuel Bosteels ’24 said “I love Bronx Science a lot, and I am happy to be able to speak at the very end of our time at this school. My classes and teachers here have pushed me to understand my interests and skills better and learn how to organize myself. My three years here have also taught me about the kinds of people I want to surround myself with. My friends today are easily the best people I have ever met: they are intelligent, funny, opinionated, interesting, and kind. I definitely feel ready to graduate — ready to celebrate, spend time with my friends over the summer, and move into college in August — but I am sad to be leaving Bronx Science.”