Duke and Yale Universities are looking to accept top performers from Staples High School for their freshman classes. As they reflected on their time at Staples, both students emphasized the importance of pursuing one’s passions and interests. One student, Wang, who plans to attend Duke, is the social media director of activist group Dear Asian Youth, which empowers young people throughout Asia. She is also editor-in-chief of the school’s STEM journal and president of the Model United Nations. Additionally, she is participating in a senior internship researching the intersection of the environment and public health.
Schussheim, on the other hand, will attend Yale as the youngest of three siblings, demonstrating a trend of academic success. She participates in the Sikorsky STEM Challenge, building a helicopter with other students, and is analyzing galaxy images from the James Webb Space Telescope in an independent study with a Yale graduate student. In addition, she has participated in a summer science program exploring the likelihood of an asteroid hitting Earth. Despite primarily focusing on STEM, Schussheim recognizes the valuable skills she has gained from her favorite English and writing courses, as well as AP Physics C.
Both students also enjoyed extracurricular activities such as sports and music. Wang found a “sanctuary” in the tennis team, while Schussheim played the cello in multiple school orchestras and enjoyed playing squash.
Their successes at Staples have set them up for promising futures, Wang studying public policy and global health and Schussheim potentially studying physics or astrophysics in college. The school’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for June 13, to be held at the football stadium.