Alpha Spotlight
Dhruv Bala, Class of 2021
Dhruv Bala, Class of 2021
For the last year, Dhruv has been working on autonomous driving technology for grocery delivery on sidewalks, using neural networks and artificial intelligence, for his science fair project. He created a computer app of this project and won the Congressional App Challenge. Dhruv was set to present to the members of the Congress in the US Capitol on Tuesday, March 24th (#HouseofCode), but could not due to the coronavirus shutdowns.
For the last year, Dhruv has been working on autonomous driving technology for grocery delivery on sidewalks, using neural networks and artificial intelligence, for his science fair project. He created a computer app of this project and won the Congressional App Challenge. Dhruv was set to present to the members of the Congress in the US Capitol on Tuesday, March 24th (#HouseofCode), but could not due to the coronavirus shutdowns.
Kent Brylle Canonigo, Class of 2020
Kent Brylle Canonigo, Class of 2020
Recipient of the 2020 Posse Foundation Scholarship
Recipient of the 2020 Posse Foundation Scholarship
Committed to Middlebury College
Committed to Middlebury College
Planned Major - Chemistry/Biochem (with a minor in math)
Planned Major - Chemistry/Biochem (with a minor in math)
Lane scholar since freshman year and current NHS member
Lane scholar since freshman year and current NHS member
Helped raise close to $4,000 worth of fundings in contribution to DACA renewals
Helped raise close to $4,000 worth of fundings in contribution to DACA renewals
Youth leader in Fighting Youth Shouting Out for Humanities (FYSH) youth-led council that brings awareness to societal issues like immigration, environmental justice, policing, etc.
Youth leader in Fighting Youth Shouting Out for Humanities (FYSH) youth-led council that brings awareness to societal issues like immigration, environmental justice, policing, etc.
Youth commissioner in the Mayoral Youth Commission
Youth commissioner in the Mayoral Youth Commission
Co-team captain for the boys' varsity tennis team
Co-team captain for the boys' varsity tennis team
Vice President of Filipino Club which showcases traditional Filipino dances to the school community and other events like Simbang Gabi
Vice President of Filipino Club which showcases traditional Filipino dances to the school community and other events like Simbang Gabi
Fun fact about Kent! -- “I used to be left-handed until about 7 years old when I fell off a tree while climbing, so I ended up using my right hand more and just stuck with it” --
Fun fact about Kent! -- “I used to be left-handed until about 7 years old when I fell off a tree while climbing, so I ended up using my right hand more and just stuck with it” --
Tasnim Mahi, Class of 2020
Tasnim Mahi, Class of 2020
Tasnim will be attending Northwestern University on a full- ride scholarship. She will major in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Tasnim has been involved in many STEM extracurricular activities including Sisters for Change, Science Bowl, GEMS, Northwestern Medical Programs, and she also worked at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. She also has won the Gold Award for the State IJAS Science Fair, and was in the top ten for Symposium in her junior year. Tasnim is also very involved in various hobbies, including gardening and doing makeup. A fun fact about Tasnim is that she attends Bengali cultural events, and has participated in events for the Bangladesh Association of Chicago (BAC). Tasnim’s favorite thing about the Alpha STEM program is that she has gotten so many opportunities from being in Alpha. She believes that being in Alpha has helped her find her passions and helped her discover what she wants to pursue in life. She also loves the STEM community and appreciates that everyone in the program is interested in something math and science related, and loves being in a community that she knows she can always learn from.
Tasnim will be attending Northwestern University on a full- ride scholarship. She will major in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Tasnim has been involved in many STEM extracurricular activities including Sisters for Change, Science Bowl, GEMS, Northwestern Medical Programs, and she also worked at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. She also has won the Gold Award for the State IJAS Science Fair, and was in the top ten for Symposium in her junior year. Tasnim is also very involved in various hobbies, including gardening and doing makeup. A fun fact about Tasnim is that she attends Bengali cultural events, and has participated in events for the Bangladesh Association of Chicago (BAC). Tasnim’s favorite thing about the Alpha STEM program is that she has gotten so many opportunities from being in Alpha. She believes that being in Alpha has helped her find her passions and helped her discover what she wants to pursue in life. She also loves the STEM community and appreciates that everyone in the program is interested in something math and science related, and loves being in a community that she knows she can always learn from.
