May 2025 Advice Column: Handling Hobbies, Looking into LinkedIn, Considering Careers, and More!

The Managing Editors and Editors-in-Chief of ‘The Science Survey’ are more than happy to answer your questions ranging from how to make the most of your wardrobe to where to find extracurricular opportunities around the city–and whether to share your college applications with friends.

Sidney Lin, Katelyn Chiao, Isabel Goldfarb, Emi Hare-Yim, Shawna Khuu, Allegra Lief, Gabriel McCarthy, Jack Murdock, Rossitsa Mina Petrova, Bianca Quddus, and Abigael Sidi • May 12, 2025

GENESEE PHOTO

Here, the Managing Editors, Copy Chiefs, and Editors-in-Chief of ‘The Science Survey,’ the writers of the May 2025 Advice Column, pose for a photo. From left to right are: Jack Murdock ’25, Rossitsa Mina Petrova ’25, Gabriel McCarthy ’25, Isabel Goldfarb ’25, Emi Hare-Yim ’26, Sidney Lin ’25, Abigael Sidi ’26, Shawna Khuu ’25, Allegra Lief ’25, Katelyn Chiao ’25, and Bianca Quddus ’25. (Photo Credit: Alexander Thorp)

Hello Bronx Science!

We, the Managing Editors and Editors-in-Chief of The Science Survey, are so happy that the weather has finally warmed up! As we eagerly welcome May flowers, the beginning of summer hints at renewal and growth. We’re excited to tell you everything we know about finding new pastimes, choosing another set of classes for next year, beginning to navigate the intimidating college process, and looking at our closets with fresh eyes to pull together the perfect outfits!

Best,

Katelyn Chiao ’25, Isabel Goldfarb ’25, Emi Hare-Yim ’26, Shawna Khuu ’25, Allegra Lief ’25, Sidney Lin ’25, Gabriel McCarthy ’25, Jack Murdock ’25, Rossitsa Mina Petrova ’25, Bianca Quddus ’25, Abigael Sidi ’26.

Abigael Sidi: How do I develop new hobbies? How do you enjoy the free time you have to the fullest extent?

As Bronx Science students, a lot of us are so overwhelmed with homework, studying, and extracurriculars that it’s hard to not just use all of our free time for sleeping or relaxing. Personally, I struggled with this a lot in my ninth grade year, and I found myself wishing I was more busy or had more interesting things to do pretty often. Here’s how to fix that problem.

Spending time with your friends

This may sound counterintuitive, but hanging out with your friends is a great way to find things that you’re interested in. We live in New York City; there is so much to do! Travel to a pop-up, new store, event, or even a new restaurant with your friends and explore what’s in the area.

There are so many interesting and random businesses around the city to pique your interest. For example, one of my closest friends and I discovered this all-in-one records, clothing, poster, and jewelry store on a random afternoon in the lower east side. We spent over an hour in that store looking around and talking to the employees, and having a great time discovering new artists and clothing brands.

Whether you realize it or not, you probably already have things in your life that you enjoy, and so do the people around you. When talking to new people, you can discover some of their interests and maybe try them out for yourself. They might even remind you of a hobby you once had! They might also tell you about some extracurriculars that you might want to start yourself, whether they are fun, casual hobbies or more “academic” ones.

Revisiting your childhood

When I was 8 years old, I read the entire Harry Potter series in probably 2 weeks. I would read it All. The. Time. For some reason, however, I stopped during eighth grade and didn’t pick up a book for at least a year. About 6 months ago, a “BookTok” video showed up on my TikTok feed and reminded me that reading existed. Now I read again, every day.

Your childhood hobbies are some of the truest of your interests–they are things you picked up on amongst a whole world of activities to start at that age. If you stopped doing something, like drawing, reading or singing when you were 11, chances are you might still be interested in it. I can confidently say that only you know you best, and there’s no better activity recommendation to take than from your past self. I find that these activities are also more likely to “stick. “I think a big problem with finding new hobbies is finding ones that you’ll actually stay committed to over time, but if you really enjoyed something once, it’s likely you’ll enjoy it again.

Exploring Bronx Science’s teams

I’m sure you’ve probably heard this many times before, but I think it’s so true: take advantage of what Bronx Science has to offer. Not only do we have dozens of clubs to discover, but we also have a bunch of teams that are just waiting for new members to join. Even if you’ve never tried something out before (or if you’re a sophomore or junior—it’s never too late!), go to an interesting meeting and give yourself the opportunity to develop a new passion. I know so many people who had never done debate, robotics, Model UN, or sports before they joined that team, and they are still members today and genuinely love it. Teams at Bronx Science are also perfect ways to make use of free time. Though these teams have meetings at school, a lot of them also might require outside work or push you to pursue it outside of school (through internships, fellowships, and online courses). This is the best way to become truly devoted to something.

Part of finding hobbies is not limiting yourself; let yourself explore all of the possibilities our city, school and your very own memories have to offer!

Shawna Khuu: How should I pick my senior year courses?

With the variety of courses offered at Bronx Science, it is difficult to choose the right one, especially for senior year. Many say to take less APs and others say to take more electives you’re interested in, but who should you listen to? Listen to yourself! You should choose the courses you are interested in, not based on rumors from other students.

I suggest planning out the required subjects you must take and reading through the course catalog to get an understanding of what courses are available. As a senior, you will be required to take at least one social studies, mathematics, science (with lab), and English course. Read through courses that you’re interested in and note their requirements for entry. If you have a major in mind for college, try to incorporate some more courses related to that major. An aspiring engineering student would typically choose AP Physics C or Modern Physics over AP Biology.

After scouting some courses you are interested in, work on filling up your requirements. From there, ask yourself questions about the course and try to determine your interest from there. I’ll provide a guideline:

The Social Studies Department offers courses that focus on government. Do you want to learn about the country’s economy, such as monetary policy, inflation, and the market as a whole? Select Macroeconomics to learn more in depth about the country’s economy and the government’s contribution to it. Choose Microeconomics if you want to focus on economic decisions on a smaller level. Instead of making plans for the whole country, Microeconomics focuses on the decisions of the individual or business owners. AP Economics is Macroeconomics and Microeconomics, combined. If you are interested in both, then select Econ for your next class. If you want to learn more about government policy and how the government is structured, take either AP Government or Participation in Government.

Ask yourself these questions as you go through the course catalog. Do you prefer biology or chemistry? Do you want to experience new forms of literature in Exploring Graphic Novels: A Journey Through Visual Literature? Do you want to spend more time with animals and take Animal Behavior? Be honest with yourself and try to figure out which courses you are interested in.

Remember, everyone is different and will have different preferences. Others won’t have the same interests as you, so focus on what you want to learn. As a senior, here’s some advice: try your best to take AP Calculus, either AB or BC, and at least a History or English AP. All colleges will require students to have these general credits; so, it’s easier to get that out of the way before even stepping foot at your future college. Also, try your best to keep at least 1 free period! Don’t overwork yourself, especially when the first half of the semester will be spent on college applications.

Gabriel McCarthy: What should I do when I fall behind in class?

I think the best thing to do when you’re falling behind (or worried that you might fall behind) is to talk to your teacher as soon as possible. If that’s too awkward, write an email to your teacher that outlines where you’ve been struggling and ask how you can get back on track. For example, if you missed a few days because you were out sick and are now struggling to understand the material in a specific class, send a quick email to the teacher letting them know about your situation and ask if there’s anything they can do to help. How they’ll respond varies teacher-to-teacher, but they will almost always suggest coming into SGI to work on addressing what you’ve missed. I’ve personally missed a lot of school (almost thirty days each year) for professional fencing competitions, and I’ve found that being proactive can help you avoid the headache of going into your physics teacher’s crowded SGI the day before a test because you missed half the unit and don’t understand anything (I’m speaking from experience here).

Another great resource for when you’re lost are your classmates and friends! Sometimes, going into an empty SGI room and asking for help from the teacher can feel daunting, especially if you think it’s something you should already know or understand. In this case, I think your best course of action is to ask a friend in the class to help you with the homework or explain the concepts you’re fuzzy on. Usually, your friends will be able to explain it differently than the teacher, which might help you better wrap your head around it. Also, your friends might have their own tips to do better in the class, such as a particular YouTube channel (like The Organic Chemistry Tutor) or another resource that helps them. Finally, if there’s a test coming up that you feel entirely unprepared for, ask your friends if they have a study guide. They won’t always want to share it–which is fair–but the condensed explanations often found in a study guide are a great way to familiarize yourself with the material you’re struggling with. It also helps because a study guide usually explains the material differently than the teacher does, similarly to when a friend teaches you face-to-face.

On the odd chance you have an absence that you can prepare for ahead of time, go talk to your teachers in person! Tell them you’re going to be absent (and why), and ask if there’s anything you can do to minimize how far you fall behind. Your teachers (for the most part) will want to help you stay on track, and they’ll likely recommend a few of the following: ask a friend for notes or the in-class worksheets, read the correlating chapter(s) in the textbook, or check the Google classroom for the slides/supplemental work. These are what I do, and these tips also apply if you missed school for unplanned reasons–like a bad flu. All in all, as long as you make an effort to catch up on the material you’ve missed and go to SGI to fill any gaps, absences shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

Bianca Quddus: Should teens get LinkedIn? If so, how should I go about setting up my profile and connecting with others?

Yes! Especially if you’re applying to colleges, looking for internships, or want to start building a professional presence online, LinkedIn isn’t just for people already deep into their careers. It’s a space where students can document experiences, explore career paths, and connect with others who share similar academic or professional interests. As college admissions and job opportunities become more competitive, having a clear, organized, and growing professional profile can give you an edge.

So how should you go about it?

Create your profile thoughtfully.

Use a clear, appropriate photo of yourself—something simple with good lighting. Your headline should quickly describe who you are and what you’re interested in. For example: “High school senior interested in biomedical engineering and public health.”

Write an “About” section that introduces you.

A few sentences is enough. Mention your academic interests, any clubs or extracurriculars you’re part of, and what you’re hoping to pursue. Keep it straightforward.

List your experiences and activities.

Include any internships, jobs, volunteer work, or leadership positions in school clubs. Even helping out in a family business or participating in a summer program can go here. Think of this as a more flexible version of a resume.

Add your skills and accomplishments.

Skills like public speaking, writing, coding, or project management are worth listing. If you’ve taken courses outside of school—like through edX or Coursera—you can include those as well.

Start connecting with people you know.

Begin with classmates, teachers, mentors, and family friends. When you send a connection request, it’s a good idea to include a brief note explaining who you are and why you’d like to connect. If you meet someone at a program or event, follow up on LinkedIn.

Be active—but professional.

Share updates about things you’re working on, like a school project, volunteer work, or articles you’ve written. You can also comment on posts or repost articles relevant to your interests. Make sure to keep your tone appropriate and professional.

In short, LinkedIn is a tool—and like any tool, it’s most useful if you know how to use it well. You don’t need to have it all figured out. But starting now means that by the time you’re applying for internships, scholarships, or college programs, you’ll already have a solid foundation in place.

Emi Hare-Yim: How do you guys pick your outfits? I constantly feel like I have nothing to wear!

Oh my goodness, I LOVE this question. I’m the type of person to meticulously plan my outfits every night, and this feeling is all too common. I’ll stare at my closet for a good fifteen minutes and pick out an outfit–only to scrap the whole thing and redo it.

The first step, honestly, is to know what look you’re going for. No, that doesn’t mean scrolling on Pinterest for hours–but instead, looking back to what your favorite outfits are in your closet. Do you gravitate towards more bold, layering looks? Or do you like to go for elevated basics? To get serious about picking outfits, even for everyday use, you need to have a vision for yourself.

Next, take inventory of what you have. You most likely don’t need to buy anything new–you just don’t know what’s in your closet. Separate the “basics” (more monotone, solid colors) from your “statement pieces” (fun designs, rhinestones, etc). In addition, note what color palette is most common in your closet. Is it bright neon colors, or pastels? Ideally, you would have a range of colors to use. If you have too many black clothes, or too many white ones, you encounter the problem of not having anything to wear, simply because everything looks the same.

Now, let’s make some outfits. If you want to work with just what’s in your closet, pair basics with statements, and make sure the colors match. For instance, if I choose to wear a shirt with designs and rhinestones, I’ll choose a pair of leggings or basic jeans to go with it. If my jeans are bedazzled, I’ll throw on a black tank top and call it a day. A reason you might feel like you have nothing to wear could be that you’re trying to have all aspects of your outfit be unique—that doesn’t need to be the case.

If you find you’re lacking in a category of clothing, whether it be style or color, it’s time to go shopping! But be thoughtful—oftentimes, people end up buying articles of clothing that they won’t end up wearing. Why? Because the piece they bought doesn’t go with anything they own, or it simply doesn’t reflect their personal style. Articles of clothing you buy, especially basics, have to be colors that go with everything. That way, you can pair it with multiple statement pieces, and make multiple outfits. My basic black and white tube tops from Amazon have brought me a long way. If you’re looking to invest in more statement pieces, make sure you have enough bottoms/tops that would go with it. If you don’t, it’ll sit in your closet, unworn.

Finally, make sure that everything you buy reflects you and you alone. In person shopping is great for this, as you can try clothing on, and see if it fits with your look. With online shopping, however, this is considerably harder. If you’re looking to buy a piece of clothing online, close your eyes, and imagine yourself with it on. Does the color suit your skin tone and coloring? Does it fit in a way that compliments you? If you don’t go through this process, and buy the piece, you may never wear it, and this’ll contribute to the feeling of having nothing to wear.

I most likely own over a hundred articles of clothing, and I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve struggled to pick out an outfit. But by sorting through your closet, shopping responsibly, and most importantly, being true to your style, you can begin to create outfits that you love. Best of luck! <3

Allegra Lief: If I don’t know what I want to do in the future, how do I pick my major in college?

It is totally natural to not know what you want to do in the future when you’re asked to declare a major, whether during the college application process or in college. I think when picking a major, definitely start with what you’re most interested in or what academic subjects you are most drawn to. Then look at your extracurriculars and what sort of story they tell and how that can translate into a potential major. For example, if you are on the debate team, had an internship at a Law Firm, or have worked on a political campaign, maybe consider a Political Science or Legal Studies major. Conversely, if you intern at a hospital and are on the Science Olympiad team, consider a more STEM-centric major like Biology or Chemistry.

While these are helpful starting points, know that you can choose a major simply because it excites you now and then see in college if it is the right fit. At most colleges, you can change your major up until the end of your sophomore year, and you can always take on additional minors. Finally, remember that a major isn’t an end-all-be-all for your future—there are always fresh opportunities and nothing is set in stone.

Isabel Goldfarb: How do I know which college is for me? How do I do properly detailed research about a college?

First and foremost, just know that it is completely normal not to know where to apply to college early. Committing to a school should mean that you have an idea of the right balance between academics, social scene, career opportunities, finances, and other personal preferences. If you are unsure of where to apply, the easiest place to start is by researching whether a school offers your desired major, and if so, the strength of the faculty, research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs within that major. A way to compare a major between different schools is to look at course offerings and academic flexibility, considering whether the school has a core curriculum or an open curriculum that allows more freedom. If you are interested in a strong core curriculum, schools like University of Chicago and Columbia might be a better place for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a lot of flexibility, I recommend looking into schools like Brown and Amherst.

However, the decision that you make should stretch beyond just academics. Think about the campus culture and student life—do you prefer a large university with Division I sports and an active social scene? If so, schools like University of Michigan or Duke might be a good fit. Alternatively, if you are looking for a smaller liberal arts college with a close-knit community and a lower student-teacher ratio, I recommend looking into colleges like Bowdoin, Middlebury, and Smith. Financial considerations are also crucial, so compare tuition costs, available scholarships, financial aid packages, and the long-term return on investment. A school’s alumni network and career placement services can impact your future job prospects, so researching career outcomes, graduate school placement rates, and employer partnerships can give you a sense of the opportunities available after graduation.

To conduct a thorough college search, explore official school websites, course catalogs, and career services pages while using external tools like Niche and U.S. News rankings to compare schools. Talking to current students and alumni through LinkedIn, college-hosted panels, or Bronx Science-hosted panels can provide valuable insights into the student experience. Finally, just trust your instincts. Sometimes the best way to know if a college is right for you is by picturing yourself there and seeing if it feels like a place where you will enjoy your time.

Katelyn Chiao: Where can I find extracurriculars outside of school, like internships and volunteer work? What are some good volunteering opportunities in NYC?

Although the pressure to stay productive outside of school, gain professional experience, or develop your resume may be overwhelming, do not worry! As students in New York City, we are lucky to have a number of exciting internship and volunteer opportunities at our fingertips.

First, I would recommend determining what you are looking for in an internship or volunteer work–are you seeking experience in a certain career field, or do you want to contribute to a particular community? This will help you narrow down your search, allowing you to focus on applying to opportunities that are “good” for your interests. Once you have established your interests, simply typing keywords into your search bar will provide options from various sites. Try typing “engineering internships for high school students” or “teen animal care volunteer work” into your browser!

As someone who has spent plenty of time searching for internships and volunteer work, I have compiled a short list of my favorite sites below.

While you browse through these sites, I recommend compiling your favorite opportunities in a spreadsheet. I often end up with countless tabs open while gathering application links, deadlines, and other details for each internship/volunteer opportunity.

Other than scouring websites, looking within your local community can present many different opportunities. Your guidance counselor may send out newsletters with upcoming internship or volunteer program deadlines. Often, organizations send notices about such opportunities, and your guidance counselor will forward them to you–make sure to check your inbox regularly!

Applying to youth employment programs such as SYEP, Pencil, and Futures and Options is also a worthwhile endeavor. These programs partner with various corporations, nonprofit organizations, firms, and small businesses to provide high school students with paid work experience.

As you search, it is important not to restrict yourself to a select few opportunities. After all, work outside of your comfort zone can teach you many valuable transferable skills. For instance, volunteering to coach a youth sports team as someone who is interested in finance can help you develop strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills!

Sidney Lin: Do my extracurriculars/hobbies have to perfectly align with my career plan for a cohesive narrative (ex. art clubs but finance major goals)?

Not at all!

In terms of college applications, staying true to all your diverse interests is a great way to present yourself authentically. People often talk about the necessity of a “spike” or a focused area of interest that you’re especially passionate about. While having this specific subject is definitely important, colleges also love to see the things you do outside of that specialty. In fact, those activities that don’t “perfectly align” with your career plan can be super refreshing to see! Many times they humanize you, changing the tone of your application from a solely career-driven student into a real person with all kinds of things they like to do. These other hobbies can also help admissions officers envision how you’d fit into everyday campus life.

With that being said, I’d also be aware of the breakdown of your activities. When you have too many differing extracurriculars, they can start to seem a bit “miscellaneous.” Be careful of having one hobby in each of many unrelated subject areas. Instead, if you have two interests, like art and finance, get involved in multiple extracurriculars for each! This shows that although art might not be your ultimate career, it is really something you truly love rather than something random, or an activity that’s only there to pad your résumé.

Finally, it’s always great to brainstorm ways your interests might overlap. Doing so can help tie your application together and allow you to describe your activities in a purposeful way. A great place to start can be thinking about what you’ve taken away from each activity. For instance, if you want to go into a STEM field but you’re also on the Speech and Debate team, consider how the team has given you the public speaking skills that are necessary for giving scientific presentations! By describing your extracurriculars like this, it becomes more clear to admissions officers why you’ve devoted time to these various activities. From there, you can also put the intersection of your interests into action. For example, if you plan to study finance but also love art, consider ways to combine the two. Maybe you can explore art as a way to teach financial literacy in a way that’s accessible, understandable, and visually appealing. Or, consider the financial side of art in terms of art dealing and museum curation. The possibilities are endless!

Jack Murdock: How did you deal with the stress of the college application process?

Dealing with stress during the college application process is virtually inevitable. However, the amount of stress you will have to manage is a variable you can control. Given the ideas you have to create, the narrative you want to craft for your application, and the refinements you’ll make to your essays in the very last stages—time is often your biggest enemy. So what’s the solution to minimizing the amount of potential stress? Starting early and sticking to a plan.

As soon as you confirm your recommendations during the late spring of your junior year, it’s best to first find a handful of schools you’re more than likely to apply to. An overwhelming majority of schools (except for Georgetown and UCs to name a few of the prominent ones) in the United States accept the Common Application. For most students, this means that you will be submitting your personal statement to at least one school—which is why thinking about the personal statement is a great place to start. From there, continue to lay out the supplemental essays (school specific essays) you need to complete, and repeat the cycle of thinking of new ideas, doing the writing, and (extremely important) find another pair of trusted eyes to look at your essays. Just like in a workout or diet plan, where you meticulously plan out the exercises or your food intake—you set it up in advance, and you have to commit to it if you want to see real results. That is exactly how you should approach the college application process. Break up the larger application into bite-size pieces that you can act on during the time you designate for it.

Rossitsa Mina Petrova: To what extent should I be sharing my college applications with my peers? What are the benefits that come from keeping it private? What are the benefits from sharing it with others?

I think sharing your college applications with your friends is an amazing idea! In fact, one piece of advice that I’ve received is to have as many people as possible read your essays. Have your parents read them. Ask your friends for advice. Talk to your teacher, people you know who just graduated, your guidance counselor, and anyone else willing to help you edit. This way you’ll have a plethora of advice from which you can pick and choose what to include.

There aren’t many benefits of keeping your essays private. Everyone’s application should be personal to themselves–if they want to have any chance of getting in–so nobody is going to steal your writing. Further, you generally shouldn’t put anything in your essays that you wouldn’t have your guidance counselor or a teacher read. Colleges don’t love excessive trauma dumping.

Having your peers read your work can be immensely helpful. Other people will catch things you won’t, such as spelling and grammar mistakes or if you aren’t being specific or personal enough. They can tell you how you come across so you have a better idea of how you are presenting yourself to an admissions counselor. Further, sharing college essays is a two way road, sometimes it’s good to take a break from writing and edit your peers’ essays as well.

There are so many ways to have people read your essays. Your guidance counselor generally reads your Common App draft during your first or second college meeting in senior year. Their doors are always open if you want to schedule additional meetings for them to read over your work. Asking your friends is a great way to have your work edited if you’re nervous about sharing your work. College essays are raw and personal. I know that it’s hard to write about these moments in your life, let alone have others read and critique them, but it can be really useful.

The best help I got was from Bronx Science alumni, especially from those who recently graduated and are currently attending the colleges I was applying to. I received a lot of great advice from a friend who is currently a freshman at Yale. In fact, her comments totally changed the way I wrote all of my regular decision essays. I was not being personal enough and was essentially résumé dumping instead of writing about pivotal moments in my life in an engaging style. I also was not being specific enough in my “why us” essays. She even let me read excerpts from her application that got her accepted into Yale, so I could see what such colleges are looking for. Having her read my application helped me realize what I was doing wrong and greatly improved the quality of my future supplemental essays.

Bronx Science also has this amazing One-On-One Supplement program where you send your essays to alumni who are attending or have attended the college you are applying to. I sent three different early action applications and three different regular decision applications to alumni. This program was one of the most useful resources in the admissions process. Since these alumni attended the schools I was applying to, they helped me add specific information about the college in my supplemental essays, enhancing the quality of my writing. They also know what their colleges were looking for in a supplemental essay which is beyond helpful when you are struggling with finding the right angle from which to answer a certain question.

Letting more people read your essays will strengthen your writing and make sure that you are personal and specific. Don’t be afraid to let your friends read your essays. Everyone is going through the same strenuous process, so don’t worry about being judged. If you don’t agree with someone’s advice, ask other people like your counselors, teachers, and parents. In the end, it’s your essay and you have the final say in its composition. Write what’s true to you and incorporate feedback when you think it will make your work stronger.

We, the Managing Editors and Editors-in-Chief of The Science Survey, are so happy that the weather has finally warmed up! As we eagerly welcome May flowers, the beginning of summer hints at renewal and growth. We’re excited to tell you everything we know about finding new pastimes, choosing another set of classes for next year, beginning to navigate the intimidating college process, and looking at our closets with fresh eyes to pull together the perfect outfits!

About the Contributors

Sidney Lin, Staff Reporter

Sidney Lin is an Editor-in-Chief for ‘The Science Survey.’ Sidney cherishes the chance to edit her peers’ articles in all sections of the newspaper and contribute to the process that takes them from a great first draft to a phenomenal final product. Along the way, she looks for the opportunity to hone her own written word. Sidney believes that journalism can be a powerful avenue to empathy. The investigative process of journalism puts her into the shoes of her subjects to provide a more nuanced account of their successes and challenges while avoiding unintentional bias in reporting. Sidney’s interest in photography has also grown alongside journalistic writing. In the future, she would like to further cultivate her use of photography in order to capture stories best depicted by a single moment in time. Outside of school, Sidney can be found engaging in research, community service, traveling to new cities and exploring world cultures, and baking. In college, Sidney is interested in finding solutions to public health dilemmas through technological innovation, economics, and public policy. She is eager to take her experiences on ‘The Science Survey’ with her to the official publication of her next institution.

Katelyn Chiao, Staff Reporter

Katelyn Chiao is a Managing Editor and Advisory Editor for ‘The Science Survey,’ part of the Editor-in-Chief Division. She finds that journalism is especially fascinating due to the fact it allows her to dive deeply into stories, to uncover truths, and to share meaningful insights, in order to inform and to connect with others. Moreover, Katelyn admires photojournalism’s ability t0 freeze moments in time, to capture emotions, and to creatively express perspectives that words alone cannot convey. Through her photos, Katelyn hopes to see and share the world in unique, meaningful ways. Outside of school, Katelyn fills her time with artistic endeavors, including painting, making ceramics, creating digital art, and visiting museums. She also enjoys exploring New York City’s culinary world by going on food crawls across different neighborhoods. Katelyn intends to study business in college, but she will continue to foster her passion for storytelling.

Isabel Goldfarb, Staff Reporter

Isabel Goldfarb is an Editor-in-Chief for ‘The Science Survey.’ She tends to focus on A.I., economics, and international politics in her reporting, but is now venturing into covering topics related to arts and entertainment. In addition to writing her own articles, Isabel edits her fellow journalists’ articles on subjects ranging from current events to features. She appreciates how the field of journalism allows one to explore what they are most passionate about, as well as express and challenge one’s own opinions on a wide range of issues. Aside from journalism, Isabel enjoys debating, reading, and fencing. In college, Isabel would like to study applied mathematics, economics, and political science, all of which have the potential to intertwine with journalism.

Emi Hare-Yim, Staff Reporter

Emi Hare-Yim is a Managing/Advisory Editor for ‘The Science Survey,’ part of the Editor-in-Chief Division. What draws Emi to journalism is her love of crafting something beautiful – for her, it’s all about the eloquence of the piece. But at the same time, she values the craft of an engaging and factual story. It’s important to find a balance between both, as her dad says. She finds that taking photographs must also hold an element of beauty, yet also have a deeper meaning to convey to the viewer. Emi is currently on the Bronx Science Congressional Debate team, where she learns to create well rounded arguments – applicable to the creation of strong editorial pieces. She is quite musical, pursuing both classical voice and piano. Additionally, she volunteers at her local cat shelter on the weekends (there is a piece about that shelter below). In the future, in terms of college, Emi sees herself studying all things involving writing. Law, journalism, and history are all probable prospects. But if nothing else, the experience of writing for ‘The Science Survey’ will create a long lasting impact on her writing technique for years to come.

Shawna Khuu, Staff Reporter

Shawna Khuu is a Managing Editor and Advisory Editor for the ‘The Science Survey.’ Through journalism, she is able to dive deep into her creativity while also sharing her passions with an audience. Photography is a favorite hobby of hers: she enjoys capturing photos of nature and scenery. Shawna believes in the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and she dreams of having her photos exhibited in a gallery one day. In addition to wrestling and weightlifting after school, Shawna enjoys listening to music in her spare time and finding new spots at which to volunteer. Shawna is active in Key Club events where she is able to help the community and meet new people all over the city. Shawna is interested in pursuing nursing, where she will learn how to care for those in need. Journalism has been a hobby for Shawna as she continues to share her stories through journalistic pieces. She plans to involve herself deeper into the photography field in the future while also working at a hospital as a nurse.

Allegra Lief, Staff Reporter

Allegra Lief is an Editor-in-Chief and an art critic for ‘The Science Survey,’ and is responsible for the review and revision of her peers’ articles prior to publication. Through her writing, Allegra aims to report on broader political trends through hard hitting news pieces and editorials, and convey her love of art by reviewing relevant art exhibitions throughout the city. She relishes the chance to share her perspective and directly connect with readers – influencing them to engage with opportunities, like seeing an art exhibition, or through reading about pressing topics that would otherwise not be in their orbit. Allegra also finds great value in photojournalism and its unique power to capture intricate details and complex emotions through visuals, in a way that words alone cannot. Beyond writing for ‘The Science Survey,’ Allegra is also the President of the Legal Society and is on the Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team. In her free time, you can find Allegra curled up with a good book, walking around the city with friends, or exploring an art museum or gallery with anyone who will accompany her. While her interests remain diverse, Allegra plans to study International Relations, Political Science, and Art History in college. Regardless of her future career path, Allegra hopes to intertwine her love of journalism with anything she might pursue.

Gabriel McCarthy, Staff Reporter

Gabriel McCarthy is a Managing Editor and Advisory Editor for ‘The Science Survey.’ He is responsible for editing articles of various sections written by his classmates. He has a passion for journalism, and he loves to read and write engaging articles. He loves journalism because it can tell an engaging story while also informing the reader at the same time. He also loves taking photos for the newspaper and believes that photos can capture a part of a story in a way that writing cannot. Outside of school, Gabriel is a nationally-ranked fencer and spends his time either doing homework or practicing. He believes that editorials are a reflection of the author and that they can tell a much deeper story. In college, Gabriel wishes to study political science and work in a related field. In the foreseeable future, he has no intention of quitting journalism and hopes to be able to spread information in some capacity even after he graduates.

Jack Murdock, Staff Reporter

Jack Murdock is an Editor-in-Chief for ‘The Science Survey,’ where he covers a range of topics from politics to neighborhood gems to even curiosities that pique his interest within his own family history. As a firm believer of using journalism as a way to share observations and articulate perspectives, Jack finds that writing fills the gaps where everyday conversation falls short. Outside of journalism, he enjoys competing with his teammates on the Lone Wolves Ultimate Frisbee team and photographing the faraway places to which he travels, building a collection of memories for the future. Jack plans to major in history with a minor in journalism in college, hoping to involve writing and reporting as he embarks on the next chapters of life. Above all, he aims to maintain a pragmatic view of the world that enables him to make meaningful observations and stay grounded.

Rossitsa Mina Petrova, Staff Reporter

Rossitsa Mina Petrova is an Editor-in-Chief for ‘The Science Survey,’ where she is responsible for revising and editing the articles of her peers. She enjoys representing her school and community through journalistic pieces that unveil hidden wonders often lost to the eye. For Mina, journalism is a way to educate, illuminate, and entertain. She loves capturing heartfelt and wondrous occasions in photography that are often lost when the moment passes. For Mina, journalism is about preservation and bringing to light stories that otherwise would have been kept hidden in the dark. She is invigorated every time she searches for an idea. She prefers the excitement of in-person interviews, carrying her notebook and pen everywhere she goes. She feels the necessity to always be prepared to document a story. Journalism never takes a day off, she likes to say. In her free time, Mina busies herself with extracurriculars at school and on her own time. She enjoys cross county, track, painting, and writing poetry. Mina loves journalism and plans of pursuing it in college and as a career. She wants to keep the magic of print newspapers alive and continue to represent small communities with journalistic writing that covers both domestic and international stories. Her main interests in her writing are about global warming and the environment. Her articles focus on both problems and solutions to the climate crisis on a small and large scale. Mina believes that journalism that educates and inspires positive change is vital for today’s fickle world.

Bianca Quddus, Staff Reporter

Bianca Quddus is an Editor-in-Chief for ‘The Science Survey’ who enjoys writing about culture and the arts. The aspect that she most loves about journalism is its emphasis on informative and creative storytelling. Bianca also recognizes her opportunity as a journalist to amplify the voice of those often forgotten. She believes that journalistic photography is a fundamental part to journalistic writing, as it adds depth to the stories and brings them to life, telling what couldn’t be told in words alone. Bianca is a passionate clarinetist and a student at the Juilliard Music Advancement Program. Bianca wishes to study the intersections between music and the brain and music cognition. In her free time, Bianca enjoys reading, cooking for friends and family, watching old movies, and going to concerts.

Abigael Sidi, Staff Reporter

Abigael Sidi is a Managing Editor and Advisory Editor for ‘The Science Survey.’ She has loved writing for years and has joined every newspaper she could since elementary school. She’s always loved journalism for its investigative angle that digs deeply into what may appear to be an obscure and unknown story. She has always appreciated the devotion of journalists to their topics and their determination to provide compelling, enjoyable, and informative pieces. She firmly believes in the importance of journalism and keeping it alive. She also values photojournalism for the visuals that it provides to readers; Abby thinks that giving readers an optical perspective of a story always helps draw them in and retain the information they read. Outside of school, she loves to read mystery, thriller, and romance novels, as well as listen to music. In fact, she will frequently do both at the same time. She also loves to travel to new places with her family and discover new food dishes as she goes. Her journalistic experiences have led Abby to have high respect for all journalism and journalists, and she hopes to continue it in some capacity in the future. Even though she hopes to pursue a career in international relations, she recognizes the advantages that journalistic skills will provide for her and will always have a love for the art. She is confident that she will look to see the newest articles on The New York Times every morning for years to come.