By Janie Rosman
Internships in Congressman Eliot Engel’s Bronx office were enhanced by Eastchester High School Valedictorian Adam Ginsburg’s desire to help others.
“I enjoy helping with constituent services that involve immigration, housing, and veteran casework, among other potential issues,” he explained. His responsibilities included reading press clips for mention of Engel’s name, helping research case work, and answering telephones. “I believe it’s important to become involved and have a voice in government,” he said.
Ginsburg and EHS Salutatorian and EGO Vice President Joanna Georgiou shared their school experiences and college plans with Rising Media last week.
Noting that student government isn’t involved with policy, Georgiou said she addressed students’ concerns to the school administration. “One of our main goals was making the school a welcoming environment and fostering school spirit in students,” she said. “We planned events like homecoming and pep rallies, and fundraisers for charities.”
A toy drive yielded more than 800 toys for a community center in Yonkers, and two successful blood drives brought in donors for the American Red Cross.
The Class of 2018’s student representative to the Board of Education, Ginsburg updated the BOE on what was happening in the high school and said participation in the Debate Club was preparation for having his voice. “You see debates on television and want to make a difference,” he said. “In some way, I’d like to make life better for constituents.”
Once seniors take their advanced placement exams, they can intern for four to six weeks within the Woodlands Individualized Senior Experience program, named for its origin at Woodlands High School in Hartsdale. Although she interned at an architectural engineering firm, Georgiou will study chemical and biological engineering at Princeton University. She can tailor a degree program and study other areas like medicine or environmental studies with a foundation of chemistry and math, which she enjoys.
“I was involved with Model Congress, where you can speak your mind and debate with a group of students,” she said. “You can write a bill, discuss it, and hear what others think about it and get exposure to public speaking and working with students from other schools.” Club members attended conferences at the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University, where Georgiou won Best Delegate Award in 2016 and Best Legislation Award in 2015.
“I feel I had teachers who genuinely cared throughout high school. When you see a teacher that wants to make sure you really understand the material, it comes to life,” she said of Ms. (Nora) Dinneen, her AP chemistry teacher. French was also a favorite, and as Ms. (Laura) Marcoccia was the high school’s only French teacher, “we have her for four years, and the class bonds,” said Georgiou.
Ginsburg’s classes included AP government and AP Euro (European history) during senior year. He “really enjoyed social studies, especially Mr. (Michael) Boyle’s class. (He was) one of my favorite teachers – funny and a good guy,” he said.
For now, Ginsburg will major in political science and statistics at Georgetown University, which stood out from the numerous colleges he applied to “because I like politics and government, and where better to go than Washington, D.C.?” he said.
Georgiou’s future plans might include cancer research. “I volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life at Concordia College. My team (EHS Cares – Georgiou) raised more than $8,000 during the past three years. I’m passionate about this because some of my family members suffered from cancer, which is also why I like chemical engineering.”
His parting words to undergraduates include taking chances and moving beyond fear. “Failure is the way to become better as a person, as a student and as an adult,” he said. “Take the class even if you’re afraid of not doing well, or try out for the team even if you don’t think you’ll make it. I had a teacher, Ms. Caine, who made us do a large project for a trial. Joanna and I were attorneys, and it was a lot of work.”
“If you have questions, ask them and make your voice heard both inside and outside the classroom,” offered Georgiou. “Teachers are willing to help, and after school it’s like one-on-one tutoring. If you have a problem with the school, then talk with the administrators. They’re willing to listen and want to help.”
She emphasized: “It’s important to be true to yourself because while not everyone will like you, you’ll find friends who appreciate the real you.”
