Press Releases
Seven NYC High School Seniors Selected as 2012 Milken Scholars
Equipping talented young men and women with the resources to become "Lifelong Leaders for a Better World" is goal of Milken Scholars Program
June 11, 2012
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 11, 2012) – The Milken Family Foundation (MFF) announced today that seven outstanding high school seniors from New York City have been named 2012 Milken Scholars. Chosen from hundreds of nominations, the new Scholars will be celebrated at a Recognition Ceremony and Dinner on Saturday, June 16 at the Grand Hyatt New York.
“The remarkable young women and men who’ve been selected as Milken Scholars over the past 23 years have consistently worked to make the world a better place,” said Milken Family Foundation Co-Founder Michael Milken, who with his wife, Lori, instituted the program in 1989. “Whether they become doctors, research scientists, educators, entrepreneurs or diplomats, the common denominator of their pursuits has been a genuine sense of service. Lori and I look forward to working with our newest class of high-school graduates as they join the Scholars family to continue that spirit of accomplishment and contribution.” The 2012 New York City Milken Scholars are:
- • Abdel Ahmed, Bard High School Early College II, will attend Polytechnic Institute of New York University • Maryama Diaw, The Young Women’s Leadership School, will attend Dartmouth College • Michael Glasser, Regis High School, will attend Wesleyan University • Valencia Lewis, Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, will attend the University of Pennsylvania • Juliansito Perez, High School at American Studies at Lehman College, will attend Princeton University • Hankyul (Laura) Song, The Brooklyn Latin School, will attend Vassar College • Ashley Vourakis, Bronx High School of Science, will attend Harvard
The Milken Scholars Program taps exceptional high school seniors based on their academic performance, community service, leadership activities and triumphs over obstacles. Each Scholar receives a $10,000 scholarship plus opportunities for ongoing mentoring, counseling, assistance with internships, opportunities for community service, and access to a range of resources for their academic and professional careers. “The far-reaching impact of the award creates a value of a life scholarship,” notes a 2007 Scholar. With the help of college advisors at high schools in New York City and Los Angeles, the Milken Scholars Program identifies outstanding students who will graduate in June 2012. These students are nominated for the program based on the following criteria:
- • Minimum grade point average of 3.6 (unweighted) or 90% in all academic high school subject areas; • Minimum composite SAT I Reasoning score of 1850 with results submitted for Critical Reading, Math, and Writing, or a minimum ACT score of 28; • Active participation in community service activities; • A record of leadership; • Financial need; • Admission to a four-year college or university prior to final selection; and • United States Citizenship or Permanent Residency.
Candidates must complete a rigorous selection process that includes a lengthy application, as well as submission of letters of recommendation, high-school transcripts and a financial aid profile. Finalists are then selected and invited to interview. The 2012 Los Angeles Milken Scholars will be announced in mid-June. The Program’s more than 300 Milken Scholars hail from diverse backgrounds with nearly one-third born outside the United States and three-quarters with parents originating from more than 50 countries. Every summer, all Scholars are invited to attend a three-day annual Summit in Los Angeles, where MFF staff and a range of distinguished speakers provide a forum for the participants to discuss issues crucial to their future success. "By identifying these talented young people and then providing them with resources and networks, the Milken Scholars Program supports these exceptional youth in the pursuit of their goals," said Dr. Jane Foley, director of the Milken Scholars Program and senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards. "The Scholars have the ability, motivation and determination to make substantial contributions to society. It is our aim to help them realize their ambitions." For details about the Program, visit Mff.org/Scholars. Please contact, Barbara Bowers at bbowers@mff.org or (310) 570-4773 if you’d like additional information and/or photos of the 2012 Milken Scholars. Interviews can be arranged.2012 NEW YORK CITY MILKEN SCHOLARS
ABDEL AHMED
When Abdel Ahmed enters the Polytechnic Institute of New York University to study computer science, he will be on familiar territory. Since eighth grade, Abdel has spent 24 weekends a year in classes taught by NYU faculty as part of the University’s Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP). His participation culminated in a first place award at the 14th Annual STEP Conference. Teachers at the highly competitive Bard High School Early College II in Queens praise Abdel’s exceptional intellectual abilities and note that he is a top performer in all subjects. Abdel’s independent study professor observed, “Abdel’s mathematical maturity and thinking are at par with very good juniors at a four-year university. A math teacher shares that Abdel “easily sees the big picture behind the mechanics and has the ability to remain patient with any problem he is trying to solve.” A passion for mathematics was his inspiration as a founding member of the school’s Math Team. In his theory for redesigning math instruction, students should spend more time focused on relevance and less time on computation. Abdel’s compassion for others is evidenced by his volunteer work tutoring students and aiding hospital patients with translation services. Research Abdel conducted during a summer internship at Cooper Union’s School of Engineering was featured in theNew York Times. In response to the Middle East revolutions, he founded the World Issues and Conflict Club. Through his practice of karate, he developed discipline, self esteem and respect, and holds various Karate Championship awards. He holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt, is a licensed competition judge and serves as an assistant instructor. Abdel will be the first in his family to attend college.
MARYAMA DIAW
The ground-breaking environmental research study done by Maryama Diaw and a schoolmate earned first place in the New York City Science and Engineering Fair and the title of Finalist at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Thanks to the efforts of these two students from The Young Women’s Leadership School in East Harlem, a small, bottom-dwelling fish they studied is no longer in danger of extinction. In her field studies, Maryama worked with research scientists and graduate students from Columbia University and Loyola University in New Orleans. For two summers she restored habitats in the Mississippi Delta region and studied the contrasting reproductive success of female stream fishes in Northwest Florida. New York’s Piermont Marsh, says Maryama, “is where I learned that I loved field research and the sciences in general.” Her research also merited a second place finish in the state’s 2010 Young Science Achievers Program. A member of the National Honor Society, Maryama will graduate as the class salutatorian. She is recognized as a model student who “overcomes difficulty and faces her challenges with a quiet determination that is quite remarkable in a young person,” shared an advisor. A counselor added that all of Maryama’s teachers appreciate her contributions to their classes. “She is able to elevate class discussions through her insight and maturity so that the entire class benefits.” Throughout her high school years, Maryama has been active in the Model United Nations and has served as president and secretary of the club. She raises awareness of global and local issues in the school and community through her involvement with the Social Justice Club. This fall, Maryama heads to Dartmouth College where she will study cognitive sciences and Arabic.
MICHAEL GLASSER
At Regis High School, an all-scholarship school for gifted and talented boys, Michael Glasser “stands out as a rare specimen,” shares a teacher. “Mike is not just a dedicated student; he is a burgeoning intellectual. He demonstrates genuine intellectual curiosity in addition to critical and cognitive abilities that are simply above the rest.” In scoring a perfect 5 on every AP exam he earned the distinction of AP Scholar with Honor. Each year his Honors academic rating at the school qualified him for the prestigious “Order of the Owl” and, in the majority of his classes, his work merited the highest grade possible, “High Honors” or “A+.” In addition, every year the faculty has presented Mike with the “General Excellence” distinction for academic achievement coupled with scholastic enthusiasm. He is a three-time recipient of the National Latin Exam Summa Cum Laude. At Wesleyan University, Mike will study Neuroscience and English as he wishes to bridge the gap between science and literature. Mike, who has mentored a young student for three years, shares, “Seeing my mentee grow from a bright-eyed boy to a responsible young man has been incredibly rewarding.” As he enjoys helping wherever he can, Mike volunteers as a math and physics tutor, hospital aide and Little League coach. The one activity he feels has shaped him the most is baseball. He has played on a competitive travel team for nine years, earned the role of captain of the school’s team as a sophomore, and twice was presented the Coach’s Award for performance, sportsmanship and work ethic. “I always worked to become a better player but I never realized it would make me a better person as well.”
VALENCIA LEWIS
Valencia Lewis is known as an academic powerhouse at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens, an institution with a long-standing reputation for scholastic excellence. Since enrolling at the school through the prestigious DaVinci Math and Science Program, Valencia has consistently challenged herself with honors classes in all major disciplines. Her college counselor notes that she “is an outstanding student and one of the most remarkable young people I have been fortunate enough to know in my 28 years as an educator.” Echoing that sentiment, Valencia’s AP Physics teacher adds that she is “one of the brightest and most intelligent students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. To say that Valencia is a leader is an understatement; not only is she an extraordinary student, but an extraordinary young woman.” Her national recognitions include AP Scholar with Honor, The National Society of High School Scholars, and the People to People Ambassador Program. Passionate to learn about different cultures, Valencia will study international business and accounting at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. As a junior, Valencia participated in the Barnard College Saturday Science Seminar, studied entrepreneurship and business at the National Student Leadership Conference held at the University of Chicago, and attended the PricewaterhouseCoopers Accounting Careers Leadership Institute at Bryant University. “All of these experiences,” says Valencia, “taught me how to work better with, and value the opinions of others, persevere to overcome obstacles, and be more open to compromise.” As president of the Autism Speaks Club, she notes that her experiences with the organization have left a lasting mark on the way she carries herself, treats others and views the world.
JULIANSITO (JULIAN) PEREZ
Acceptances from 11 top-flight colleges testify to Julian Perez’s outstanding academic credentials. When he enters Princeton University this fall to study pre-med, Juliansito will be the first in his family to attend college. Juliansito is a student at the Bronx High School of American Studies at Lehman College (HSAS), a specialized public school that emphasizes the study of American history and offers students an academic program that is both well-rounded and challenging. He scored a 99% on the New York State U.S. History Regents Exam. His AP History teacher describes Juliansito as a star who is “very analytical and loves to break an event or policy down into its intricate components.” He adds, “Juliansito is marvelous at identifying historical themes and using facts to explain the underlying dynamics.” Juliansito’s scholastic honors include distinctions as a Questbridge Finalist and a Posse Scholarship Nominee. Though he excels in subjects across the curriculum, one teacher highlights Juliansito’s passion for math and science. A teacher shares, “Juliansito loves to ask and answer the ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions. I expect him to be one of those kids who find working in a chemistry or computer lab on a weekend to be pure pleasure.” Others observe that he “carries himself with great dignity and exudes inner strength and self-confidence—a rare leadership skill for any 17-year-old’” and “is of the finest personal qualities: confident yet modest, friendly to all, mature and responsible. Juliansito generously gives considerable time to help younger classmates. He leads by example.” His impact at HSAS goes beyond the classroom as he is a school leader in the finest sense. Wherever Juliansito goes becomes a better place.
HANKYUL (LAURA) SONG
For two years, Laura Song has earned a perfect 4.0 in the all honors program at The Brooklyn Latin School, including a full course load of demanding International Baccalaureate classes. As a tenth grader, she was a finalist in the citywide “Brain Bee” competition. Her exceptional skills in Latin have garnered both a Gold Medal with summa cum laude and a Silver Medal with maxima cum laude on National Latin Exams. For earning the highest final average in class, Laura captured prizes in Spanish, history and art history as well as the Approbation Distinction 4.0 Prize for a final GPA of 4.0. “Laura’s passion for history, combined with her natural intellectualism and inquisitive personality, often results in the most original and sophisticated arguments in comparison to her peers,” notes a teacher. “She consistently brings a level of sophistication and critical thought that deepens the conversation and propels her peers to think about the topic differently.” Laura’s propensity for languages is reflected in her intention to major in linguistics at Vassar College. She credits her experiences as a student in Costa Rica and the cultural nuances in their common expression “Pure vida”— literally translated as “Pure life”—with cementing her desire to learn about sociolinguistics. Born in South Korea, Laura is president of the school’s Model United Nations organization and is secretary of the Global Awareness Club. As a member of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, Laura performed at Carnegie Hall. She is the news editor of the school newspaper and, as a member of the National Honor Society, created a mentoring program to assist struggling students.
ASHLEY VOURAKIS
Ashley Vourakis is a leading student in her senior class at The Bronx High School of Science, one of the country’s premier science magnet schools. As a junior, Ashley scored a 96 on the New York State Regents Physics Exam and her research paper, “The Motion of a Baseball, Accounting for Air Friction,” and won a silver medal at the Greater Metropolitan New York Math Fair. In recognition of her exceptional performance on the Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek, Ashley received The Three Hierarchs Awards of Excellence. She is a National Hispanic Recognition Scholar and a member of ARISTA, the school’s honor society. A soprano in the senior division of the Archdiocesan Youth Choir, Ashley recently performed at the White House. “Singing,” Ashley says, “has taught me to appreciate the balance between a challenge and the ultimate achievement of satisfaction that I face with any undertaking.” After traveling to her mother’s native country of Paraguay, Ashley is founding a nonprofit organization to provide supplies for an elementary school in an impoverished rural village. Her physics teacher observes that Ashley has “demonstrated high levels of quantitative ability and aptitude for further scientific learning.” When she began her internship as a paid clinical research junior associate for a renowned nephrologist, Ashley had never experienced the social aspects of medicine and she had been narrowly focused on the biology of disease and treatment. In learning to listen with patience and sympathy, Ashley grew to understand “the importance of relationships in medicine and that a patient’s full condition is not reducible to technical terms.” This wisdom will serve her well in her studies of biological and medical sciences at Harvard.