By Alexandra Sukin ’15
From doing community service in Greece to studying the humanities in California to researching at the University of Cincinnati, several members of Country Day’s junior class have chosen to challenge themselves this summer. They are looking forward to participating in very interesting and rewarding programs and internships, many of which are highly selective.
In the sciences, Caroline Gentile was selected to participate in the ExSEL (excellence in science education and learning) program at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine. Caroline chose to pursue this opportunity on the recommendation of chemistry teacher, Mrs. Paula Butler. After a lengthy application process and a very competitive acceptance process, Caroline will be working with researchers and graduate students on various research topics in medicine including molecular genetics, neuroscience, immunology and areas of biology. Preeya Waite will be participating as well in a selective science program at the University of Cincinnati: HCARE, or Health Careers Exploration, an intensive five-week program designed for students who are considering careers in medicine.
Hunter Behne will also be at UC, working in the Cardiovascular Center and “studying the effects of ultrasound on different stroke therapies.” Hunter adds that he was inspired to pursue this research internship due to his family’s medical history of stroke. “Hearing about the treatments researched in the lab hit close to home,” he said. “Having a personal connection to the topic of study was instrumental in choosing this particular internship.”
Sam Hall and Will Bernish will also be interns at the University of Cincinnati. Just around the corner at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Sarah Mae Selnick will be shadowing doctors and Luke Hall will be interning.
While numerous other classmates are pursuing scientific research in Cincinnati, Holly Dayton will be on the west coast at Stanford University Summer Humanities Institute (SHI) which is connected with Stanford’s Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY). Holly’s area of study will be history, specifically the Age of Jefferson. For the culmination of the three week program, Holly will be writing a research paper on this topic. The application requirements for this program included submitting a resume, transcript, application form questions and an analytical or research paper. Holly decided to submit her junior paper as part of her application.
Country Day students are also gaining valuable experience in the business world. At the suggestion of his college counselor, Mrs. Sarah Beyreis, and a friend who had participated in the program, Edwin Sam applied for and was accepted into the highly regarded and selective Leadership Education and Development business program (LEAD) run by The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton business school and located on Northwestern University’s campus. Edwin describes the LEAD program as “all about promoting well-roundedness, social skills, and leadership skills which will help [me] later in life, especially if [I] choose to go into business.” Edwin acknowledges that the admissions process for the LEAD program is similar to the college application process: two essays, PSAT scores, the submission of junior year grades and a questionnaire. However, Edwin believes that it was well worth the effort to apply as his research process indicates that students who have participated in the program have given it excellent reviews.
Some Country Day juniors looked for international opportunities to pursue this summer. Amelia Drew will be in the Greek summer program at The American Farm School. Her older brother George, class of 2011, recommended this program. The purpose of the program is to do volunteer work in Greek villages while living with a local family.
Even though all of these programs and internships required significant initiative and application processes, the consensus among the juniors partaking in these summer experiences is that it is effort well spent. The success that the junior class has had in securing these positions and program spots demonstrates the excellent preparation and support that Country Day students receive in pursuing summer opportunities that encourage personal and intellectual growth.
