Meet the Cape and Islands high school seniors who have already gotten a start on leadership.

24 Pages·2014·10.43 MB·English

C C T May 12, 2014
APE OD IMES
RISING STARS
Meet the Cape and Islands high school seniors
who have already gotten a start on leadership.
2 Rising s taRs
About Rising Stars
By GWENN FRISS planner and has an invest- Jennifer Eames of Marion advanced degrees from three times in eight years.
[email protected] ment plan. Family Chiropractic, earned Temple and Penn and was As bureau chief and special
R
est assured, the future
Many of the good works her Doctor of Chiropractic appointed as a Visiting projects team leader from
is in good hands, and
done by those nominated as degree as the top clinician Practitioner at Harvard. Kerr 1992 to 1998, he won several
we have proof.
Rising Stars have already in her class from Sherman founded the Leadership national awards, including
Leadership and
been written about in the College of Chiropractic in Institute to train aspiring the Edward J. Meeman
academic excellence are the
pages of the Cape Cod Times. South Carolina. Before that, school leaders and created Trophy for environmental
words that come to mind for
Falmoth High’s Jake Barry the Marion native attended the first computer magnet reporting, the Benjamin Fine
the 104 high school seniors
raised $50,000 over three the University of North school in the nation to assist Award for education report-
nominated as Rising Stars
years to rehabilitate his Carolina where she was with desegregation efforts. ing, and the Investigative
this year.
neighborhood playground. a member of four NCAA Today he serves as a consul- Reporters and Editors Award.
But it’s more than that.
Sandwich High’s Michael championship teams in tant on reform issues. Prior to joining the Times,
Members of the class of 2014
Kristy has created videos of women’s soccer and became William Mills is the edito- Mills was a correspondent
are saavy. They are decisive
his school and community involved in team handball, rial page editor of the Cape for The Boston Globe, an edi-
about what they want and
posting them on his own eventually competing on the Cod Times, where he has tor at the Charlotte Observer,
willing to take risks. (Rising
YouTube channel. U.S. national team in that worked as a reporter and edi- and communications director
Star Joe Bergeron applied
From the volunteer judges, sport. She’s played flag foot- tor for nearly 25 years. His for an international refugee
only to MIT, figuring he’d
I consistently hear two ball on a team in the Cape’s editorials have won the Allan relief organization based in
have to scramble getting
things: “This is so hard!” and Barnstable League for six or B. Rogers Editorial Award Geneva.
other applications in if he
“Thank you for asking me.” seven years. She splits her
didn’t get early admission.
I understand both of those time between the SouthCoast Rising
But MIT agreed it was the
feelings. and the Cape, where she oN thE covER
place for him.)
I’m glad I’m not a judge. and her young son, Grayson, staRs Hannah Depin
Although national surveys
But it’s kind of nice that enjoy many activities.
find most don’t work part- Photo by
it’s difficult because it shows Thomas G. Kerr, PhD, is a EdItoR
time in high school, Rising Christine Hochkeppel
what a great group of teens lifelong educator and school gwenn Friss
Stars buck that trend. Nauset
you – parents, teachers, administrator who served
Regional High’s Stephanie dESIGN
employers, siblings – nomi- suburban Philadelphia www.capecodonline.com
Nicole Bassett not only vol- nora DeVita
unteers and works two jobs, nate. schools for 40 years before /risingstars
Our thanks to this year’s retiring to the Cape with
she’s also gotten a financial
judges: his wife, Gayle. He received
May 12, 2014 3
n UppER CapE COd REGIONal TEChNICal hIGh SChOOl n
Christine hoChkeppel/Cape Cod Times
Joe Martin of Sandwich, in the Health Technology classroom at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, had planned to be a baker but found he enjoyed the
health field. He now works as a certified nursing assistant and will pursue a nursing degree this fall.
Joe Martin guidance counselor Jennifer McGuire. “He is Fitchburg State University.
funny, friendly, approachable and outgoing, “Going to go to Upper Cape, I initially
and seems to be able to get along with every- wanted to be a baker,” Joe says, “But getting
body, including peers and instructors. I would into health services, I thought I could go some-
imagine these traits are why he is selected and where with this and I love (nursing).
Philosophy: “It’s important to take elected for so many things. “So it’s important to take yourself outside
“He’s able to manage multiple activities and of your comfort zone and take chances. If you
yourself outside of your comfort zone do well in school at the same time. The balance put yourself out there, it allows you to try new
that he achieves seems to come naturally to experiences and exposes you to more opportu-
and take chances.” him. I’m not sure he realizes what an accom- nities.”
plishment it is to be able to do so well at so Such was the case when the Sandwich
By DICK TRUST many things.” resident went on a mission to El Salvador
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
T Susan White, director of curriculum, writes in Central America for 10 summer days in
his has been quite the year for Joe Martin.
that Joe “is a hard-working young man who 2012 through the Episcopal Youth Leadership
Not only was he selected by the staff
is kind to others and dependable, qualities Academy.
of Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical
he exhibits with a maturity beyond his years. “It was the most eye-opening, interesting,
School as its “Outstanding Vocational
He is polite and friendly, and he usually has crazy experience I ever had,” Joe says. “It was
Student of the Year,” he is also this year’s
a smile on his face as he comes through the a mission not to build houses but to build rela-
president of his school’s chapter of the National
school door at 7:15 every morning.” tionships with El Salvadoran teens and see
Honor Society.
A student in the Health Technology program what their lives are like and how much we take
This past summer, he attended the
at Upper Cape Tech, Joe works part-time as for granted.”
Washington Leadership Training Institute
a certified nursing assistant at Forestview The greatest lesson he learned?
through SkillsUSA where he received the
Nursing Center in Wareham. This fall, he will “(It) probably was that Salvadoran teens are
Statesman Award for leadership.
pursue his bachelor’s degree in nursing at not so different from American teens.”
“Joe is extremely down to earth,” writes
4 Rising staRs
n DENNIS-YARMOUTH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL n
Hannah
Depin
Advice: “Work hard for what you believe in.
You want to be successful but also
follow your interests.”
By SARAH BRENTYN magazine then approached
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Hannah to write a follow-up
H
annah Depin hasn’t
piece, “Offering Hope to Cape
graduated from high
Cod’s Homeless,” which they
school yet, has but
published in 2013.
has already been
Guidance counselor
published and spoken out for
homeless people in her com- Annette C. Bowes says
munity. She plans to combine Hannah’s writing is “phenom-
her love of writing and interest enal.” Bowes says, Hannah is
in social issues to become a “never speaking just to hear
journalist. Hannah says, “I see herself but to make construc-
journalism as a way to reach
tive, intelligent contributions.”
out and make a difference.”
In addition to receiv-
Hannah’s desire to help
ing top marks on her AP
others and learn about cur-
exams, Hannah excelled at
rent events inspired her to
what Bowes calls “the most
join her high school’s Human
demanding academic pro-
Rights Club in her freshman
gram available in our school.”
year.
She admires Hannah’s abil-
“I have always been inter-
ity to handle academics and
ested in social issues,” she
extracurricular activities
says. She likes studying
with grace, being dedicated
world politics, but says that
to each endeavor without
“with local issues, you can
becoming overwhelmed or
make a difference.”
trying to draw attention to
She has worked to raise
herself. “She is involved in
awareness about homeless-
everything,” Bowes says, “but
ness on Cape Cod by team-
never looking to show off in
ing up with the nonprofit
any way.”
organization, Homeless Not
Hannah’s leadership abili-
Hopeless.
ties are evident in the activi-
When Hannah was a
ties she chooses to pursue.
junior, she wrote an insight-
Supervisors praise her matu-
ful and inspiring speech in
rity and reliability.
which she noted that “it’s
At her dance school,
interesting to look at the kind
Hannah is in her fourth year
of issues people pay attention
as an assistant teacher. She
to, and the issues they over-
enjoys instructing others
look.” She discussed some
and was recently stage man-
headlines about Halloween
ager for a production by the
costumes and breakfast
Mattacheese Middle School’s
cereal and pointed out that
drama program. Hannah is
15 homeless people died that
also a counselor for Kids
year. The Cape Cod Bear, she
Klub at Red Jacket Beach
wrote, was much bigger news
Resorts. As far as keeping up
than these deaths. Hannah
with academics while being
read her speech at an event
involved in her many activi-
for Homeless Not Hopeless,
Christine hoChkeppel/CAPE COD TIMES ties, Hannah says you have to
and Cape Women Online
Hannah Depin is in her fourth year as an assistant dance teacher. She has also worked with Homeless “work hard and have a bal-
Not Helpless, writing a speech and an article drawing attention to the needs of people who do not published the speech in ance.”
have housing. their Holiday 2012 issue. The
May 12, 2014 5
n FalmOUTh hIGh SChOOl n
Christine hoChkeppel/
Cape Cod Times
Oliver Newman
was a leader on
Falmouth High
School’s cross coun-
try team and will
run on the Swarth-
more College team
in the fall.
Oliver Newman
Future goal: “Education should be a priority all across this country and around the world.”
you can make the world a better more than just a sport for me. You can self-improvement.”
By DICK TRUST place,” says Oliver, who takes numer- almost call it an addiction. I run a lot. Oliver’s cumulative grade point
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
F ous AP classes and tutors younger They say there’s an adrenaline rush average of 3.94 of a possible 4.00 is
or Oliver Newman, halfway is no
students. in running. It’s true. I have so many just one measure of his scholastic
way.
Guidance counselor Guy LoConte things going on in my life and keep- achievements.
The Swarthmore College-
has enjoyed his association with ing track of them is a stressful factor. Oliver has not yet chosen a major
bound student is passionate
Newman, commenting, “Oliver is Running helps me get away from at Philadelphia-based Swarthmore,
about his studies (he’s in the top 7
always a complete gentleman with that.” but says he’s leaning toward a career
percent of his graduating class), about
(everyone) he encounters.” Running also sparked Oliver’s in education.
his music (he plays piano, viola
Oliver is president of his school’s proudest accomplishment: qualifying “I enjoyed my education and I’d like
and violin at the orchestra level),
Science National Honor Society, for the state cross country meet last to replicate that in other people. I can
about his internship at Woods Hole
treasurer of Falmouth High’s Model fall. With exemplary dedication, he touch those in other places here and
Oceanographic Institute (WHOI),
United Nations, and a member of dropped his 5-kilometer time from 18 around the world. That’s my ultimate
his work for the U.S. Geographical
the National, Music, and Math honor minutes to 16:30. goal. My family has done cultural
Survey and, well, you get the picture.
societies. He has been awarded grants Academically, LoConte says, “Oliver trips; I want to do more traveling and
His passion academically is to
for further study through WHOI, has excelled as very few others have spread the word of more quality edu-
understand the world around him,
based on the projects he is complet- at Falmouth High School. He has an cation.
and then some.
ing during his internship and with inner confidence and modesty that “Teaching would be a first step, but
“I’m very curious about things and
Mass. Science Fairs. allow him to excel and achieve in eventually I’d want to go into educa-
I like physics because you learn how
He ran track and cross country for all that he pursues. His motivation is tion administration, or reform.”
the scientific world works and how
Falmouth High, but, as he puts it, “It’s simply for the love of learning and
6 Rising staRs
n BaRNsTaBlE HIGH sCHOOl n
STEVE HEASLIP
/Cape COD TIMeS
Nicole Neville
was named most
valuable player on
Barnstable High’s
cross country team
in 2013, and as
a team captain,
mentored younger
runners.
Nicole Neville
Philosophy: “You can have all these great qualities, but if you’re not helping others, it’s really not much of anything.”
By SUSANNA GRAHAM-PYE blue eyes sparkle with excitement at chemical engineering.” that didn’t change a lot was school
R CONTRIBUTING WRITER the prospect of the future. She may try to add a minor in and my activities there. I think I real-
unning on the beach clears her
“(The MIT event) was reallycool,” finance, another area that interests ly focused on that and it helped me.”
mind and keeps her grounded,
she says. “There were over 600 activi- her. Although she doesn’t plan to Neville says she really loves Cape
says Nicole Neville. She also
ties and events to choose from.” run track, she thinks she may join Cod. She believes there is an unspo-
loves those runs because, for At the time of the interview, Princeton’s running club as an extra- ken understanding between the peo-
her, the beach is a big part of home. Nicole’s first choice was MIT. But curricular activity and possibly do ple here, who understand what is to
She has always lived here on the Cape, a visit late last month to Princeton some community service work. live in a close-knit community. There
in Hyannisport, and the thought of University in New Jersey changed Those who know Nicole describe is a rhythm here tied to the natural
leaving for college is a bittersweet one. her mind. her as a determined student with an beauty of the place that unites the
“I’m really close to my mom,” she “I really felt at home on the campus admirable work ethic. In addition to Cape’s residents. And, Nicole says,
says. “And my little sister too. It’s a at Princeton,” she says, explaining being co-captain of the cross country she likes the way people in the Cape’s
bit hard to think about not being here that the more traditional setting with team and an active member of the small communities help one another.
all the time.” a green at its center appealed to her math team, Neville has volunteered She says she likes to think of herself
Not only is leaving family difficult, more than MIT’s city campus, which at Cape Cod Hospital, tutors younger as someone who is willing to help
but also leaving Barnstable High is sprawled along the Cambridge side students and has worked for the past others.
School where, she points out, stu- of the Charles River. several years at Green Harbor Resort Asked to choose one word to
dents have spent the past five years “It was in the city and more spread in West Yarmouth. describe herself, Neville said: “per-
together in the “’stable,” the affec- out,” Nicole says. “There didn’t seem But school has been an important severance. I think I kind of relate it
tionate name students use for their to be as much student interaction.” constant in Neville’s life, one that has to running and endurance. It’s easy
school. Interested in math and science and helped her get through various chal- to do well if everything is going well.
However, sitting in a coffee shop looking for a way to use both, she lenges. But it’s when things get hard and
in Hyannis, describing the new stu- plans to study engineering. She’s not “I think I’ve always been pretty you’re still able to succeed, I think
dents’ weekend at the Massachusetts yet sure where that route will lead. self-motivated,” she says. “After my that is important. I think that’s some-
Institute of Technology from which “There are a lot of different kinds parents divorced, though, things were thing I’m able to do.”
she has just returned, Neville’s very of engineering,” she says. “Maybe kind of difficult and the one thing
May 12, 2014 7
n BaRNsTaBlE HIGH sCHOOl n
STEVE HEASLIP/CAPE
COD TIMES
Colby Blaze,
photographed
with Plato
along Barn-
stable High’s
walkway of
great think-
ers, says being
class president
has allowed
him to have an
impact at Barn-
stable High.
Colby Blaze
Philosophy: “Pay your rent to the world.”
leadership tone by showing class- ing between Harvard and Duke. gave him opportunities to “find my
By DEBI BOUCHER STETSON mates and teachers manners, values, He chose Harvard, because he can own success,” he said. “I felt no pres-
F CONTRIBUTING WRITER commitment and respect – values play football there. While he is still sure – they let me choose my own
or as long as he can remember,
that are often overlooked by students undecided about a major, he is most direction.”
Colby Blaze has wanted to make
today in a public school setting.” interested in math, economics and He has also been inspired by
an impact on the world. He sees
Colby, who is on the football team, biochemistry. people he caddies for at his summer
his life through that filter, which is
one reason he has been class president is captain of both the tennis team and Colby wrote his college essay about job at Oyster Harbors Golf Club in
for all four years of his high school ca- basketball team, and is known for his experience growing up as the Osterville. “It’s always fascinating to
reer. Holding that office, he said, “put me mentoring younger players. He is at middle child in a family of five boys, hear their stories.”
in the best position to make an impact.” the top of his class academically and with two older brothers and two Colby believes the most important
To that end, he has worked to raise doesn’t mind admitting he worked younger brothers. “It’s an advantage, thing in life is to be happy, but equal-
money to help the class “maximize hard to accomplish that. “I’m so com- if anything,” he said of being in the ly important, he says, is “to leave an
our senior year,” from a lunchtime petitive, even with just myself, in the middle. “I always had someone chal- impact, make a difference, do some-
bowling trip to a local bowling alley classroom I found I wanted to meet lenging me. I had my two older broth- thing in your life that is beneficial
to subsidizing prom costs, and he my expectations or beat my expecta- ers as examples to inspire me, and to the world. You’ve got to pay your
promises the class gift to the school tions,” he explains. “I wanted to outdo then when they went off to college I rent to the world,” he says. “You’ve got
will “immortalize the Class of 2014.” myself.” sort of took over the role of being a to serve in some way that is greater
Guidance counselor James F. He had an enviable choice of col- role model for my younger brothers.” than yourself. I’ve always respected
Buckman writes, “Colby also sets a leges to attend next year: he is decid- His parents also inspired him and people that have done that.”
8 Rising staRs
n HaRWICH HIGH SCHOOl n
Merrily Cassidy/Cape Cod Times
Haley Currie, on Nauset Beach in Orleans, plans to study hydrology and hopes to one day teach Cape high school students about the region’s fragile ecosystems.
Haley Currie
Philosophy: “I see the world as part of a system – everything is connected.”
By CINDY PAVLOS popular.” versity,” Haley says. But ultimately, “I school’s human rights club, STAND,
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Haley will study hydrology at the want to teach environmental sciences which works to prevent genocide
H
aley Currie realizes the oceans University of New Hampshire at to high school students. I want to be and other atrocities. With the club,
control the world’s climate,
Durham next fall, but as an indepen- able to bring real-life experiences to she attended the “Hear Her Voice”
and she is impatient to learn
dent learner, she finds opportunities my students, give them a world view.” conference in Washington, D.C. in
more about ocean currents
to pursue her passion for science out- And, she adds, “I would love to be a February, and was overwhelmed by
and how climate change affects water
side the traditional classroom. She teacher on the Cape.” the experience.
patterns.
attended evening courses for high There’s little downtime in Haley’s “We met survivors from Darfur (in)
Growing up surrounded by the
school students at Massachusetts schedule. In addition to a full load Sudan and heard their stories,” Haley
fragile ecosystems of the Cape, Haley
Maritime Academy, visited the of Advanced Placement and hon- says. “I met people from all over the
showed early concern for the envi-
Environmental Protection Agency as ors courses, she competes on the world. We lobbied Congress to place
ronment.
part of a summer science program Harwich field hockey team, runs restrictions on conflict minerals and
“I started refusing to have balloons
at George Mason University, and cross-country track, plays the violin, to protect women’s rights.”
as a child,” she says, already aware of
traveled to California for a summer works part-time, and never misses a After graduation in June, Haley
the dangers of balloons and plastic
at sea program on Catalina Island chance to watch her younger brother will travel to the Dominican
for sea life. “Plastics are my biggest
where she took courses and spent 10 and sister play hockey. Band class Republic with a school group for a
pet peeve.”
days working and studying aboard a offers her only reprieve. “It’s the one week of building and community
Hayley credits her mother for nur-
research vessel. class in my day where I don’t have to service. “It’s important,” she says, “to
turing this environmental conscious-
“I want to do research and work in worry about messing up.” create equal opportunities for every-
ness. “My Mom sewed recyclable
the scientific community after uni- Haley is also a member of the one.”
shopping bags before they were
May 12, 2014 9
n DENNIs-YaRmOUTh REGIONal hIGh sChOOl n
Ron SchloeRb/CAPE COD TIMES
Kyle Pina, working with robots in Chris Hansen’s advanced robotics class at Dennis-yarmouth High, will major in mechanical engineering at MIT and hopes to one
day be an inventor.
Kyle Pina
Most important thing in life: “It’s finding a happy balance between work and school work and social life.”
By DEBI BOUCHER STETSON Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High especially enjoys math and science, self, “But in high school I got more
CONTRIBUTING WRITER School, even while playing on the and says it was an AP physics class comfortable,” he says, and became
G
rowing up as the only son of football and basketball teams, serv- he took last year that made him want more outgoing. “I guess I’m fairly
a single mother, Kyle Pina felt ing as student representative on the to pursue engineering. “It was learn- quiet, I don’t say much but I say what
it was his duty to work hard school’s Curriculum Committee and ing how everything in my everyday I need to say,” he reflects. “I’m kind of
and be successful. His father maintaining a part-time job that life works,” he says. “I found it really friends with everybody.”
died before he was born, and he saw expands to full-time work in the sum- amazing.” He serves as public relations offi-
how his mother struggled, especially in mertime. Asked what he thinks is the most cer for the school’s chapter of the
those early years, to provide for him. Next year, he will attend MIT, the important thing in life, Kyle says it National Honor Society. He was hon-
“Knowing how hard my mom Massachusetts Institute of Technology is balance. “It’s finding a happy bal- ored with the Atlantic Coast League
worked, I thought it would be unfair in Cambridge, majoring in mechani- ance between work and school work Sportsmanship Award in basketball,
if I didn’t work just as hard, and get cal engineering. Asked what he hopes and social life,” he says. Despite his and participates in football clinics
an education and go to college,” he to do with his education, Kyle say he rigorous academic courses and busy to help mentor and inspire younger
says. Because his mother has cared hopes to some day invent things. schedule, “I still find time to hang out players.
for him, he says, “I want to be able to For the last two years he has been with my friends and be with my girl- Kyle says he has gotten a lot out of
take care of her.” taking robotics classes at Dennis- friend.” his high school experience, from aca-
That drive led him to be the Yarmouth High. While he works Kyle says he was on the shy side in demics to sports. “I wouldn’t want to
top-ranking student in his class at hard and excels in all his classes, he middle school, mostly keeping to him- be anywhere else.”
10 Rising staRs
n STURGIS EaST ChaRTER PUBlIC SChOOl n
Steve HeaSlip/ Cape Cod Times
Molly Brennan, in the math room at Sturgis East Charter School, will study biological engineering, a field that’s changing so quickly she’s not sure what real-world
problems she’ll tackle after attending MIT.
Molly Brennan
Advice: “Don’t be afraid to try things out and take risks. Use whatever talents you have to connect with and help others.”
lems,” she adds. is confident will help her in future logical solutions to real problems, as
By EMMA GAUTHIER
Since this is such a rapidly evolving endeavors. stated on the organization’s website.
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
T
he conversation with Molly field, Molly says she’s unsure where “There are many indirect benefits During last year’s competition,
Brennan requires some ex- her studies will take her in terms of a of different activities,” Molly says. Molly and her team “built a vehicle
plaining. career. “Whether in the strings group at to help transport stranded dolphins.
Biological engineering, “This is one of the things that school or in the drama club, STAGE, At a showcase in April 2013 in
simply put, is when “you take pieces excites me about it. I may not even be I have learned to work with others. Natick, I gave a presentation on our
of biology and engineer them to do able to predict the type of research My career will include working with device,” she says. Her experiences on
something,” she explains, pointing to and the types of problems that will others on projects where everyone InvenTeam helped “test my leadership
tissue engineering or working with exist when I am skilled enough to contributes different skills, and those abilities by working with others to
viruses as examples. tackle them, but I hope to make sig- activities have helped me experience found an engineering club at Sturgis
Molly says it was through the work nificant contributions to the field,” that.“ East.”
of Angela Belcher, PhD, who special- Molly says, noting that she is interest- Additionally, she participates in Molly is especially thankful for
izes in viruses and how their genetic ed in cancer detection and treatment. Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry her parents who always exposed her
codes can create different things in While Molly is eager to begin recitation contest, where she was a to math and science activities at an
the fields of renewable energy and studying in her field at Massachusetts state finalist in her sophomore and early age, and have been “incredibly
medicine, that she was first exposed Institute of Technology, or MIT, this junior years. In her spare time, she supportive” in her exploring various
to biological engineering. fall, biological engineering is only one tutors her peers and is a member interests.
“I like biological engineering of her many interests. At Sturgis East of the Key Club and her school’s “They have always encouraged me
because you can look at nature and Charter Public School, she is involved Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam, a competi- to do my best and take advantage of
biological structures that already in a multitude of academic and extra- tion where students and adult men- the opportunities given to me without
exist, learn how they work and apply curricular programs, all of which she tors are given grants to invent techno- pressuring me,” Molly says.
that knowledge to solve today’s prob-