Penelope currently attends McGill University, where she intends to study physics in the Faculty of Science. Penelope graduated from Hunter College High School. At Hunter, she maintains high grades in rigorous STEM and literature classes, including AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Calculus AB, in addition to taking Extended Honors Math classes from 8th to 11th grade. She received a five on the AP Biology exam last year. Penelope also received a 1540 SAT score, with a 770 in Reading & Writing and a 770 in Mathematics.
Penelope plans to major in physics at McGill University. She recently attended CUWiP: Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics, in which gender minorities with a major in physics exchange experiences and advice about navigating a field where they are underrepresented. At CUWiP, Penelope reviewed undergraduate and graduate students’ research, spoke with women who have made breakthroughs in physics and was inspired to foster a strong community with gender minorities in STEM going forward. In her school community, Penelope frequently goes out of her way to assist others in the various STEM classes she takes, from Astrophysics to Medical Physiology.
Penelope actively works to uplift her communities, volunteering at Yeshua Worldwide Ministries’ food pantry in Queens every weekend for several months. This past summer, Penelope volunteered as a student aide in Hunter’s Summer Enrichment Program, helping children in grade 5 continue their education over the summer in a fun, engaging, and well-rounded way. Penelope guided children through various English, STEM, and music projects throughout the program. In previous years, Penelope also took the initiative to mitigate the effects of low biodiversity by creating her own native plant garden, spurred by her strong interest in environmentalism and ecology. In her free time, Penelope enjoys making art, reading, baking, and spending time with friends.