by Jeffrey Stanley

With so many interests, these three ninth graders are already shaping up to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors in the Merit Scholars program. Senior Conor H., named a Merit Scholars five years ago when he was an 8th grader, is now on the cusp of graduation, and is thriving in the rigorous IB program. "I hesitate to give preference to any one class, since the IB program as a whole has made me really engaged in every class," he said, "but I would say my most academically demanding, as well as enjoyable class is probably IB Latin." 

Granted it's an advanced independent study and he's the only student, but that's just fine with the thoughtful scholar. "I really enjoy reading and discussing Roman poetry, whether it be epic, lyric, or satiric," he said. "What I find so peculiarly inspiring is the fact that someone like Horace, writing more than 2,000 years ago, and in a different language, can still convey a message or tell a story that's so penetrating and relevant to the life of a 21st-century, urban, American teenager." He went on to speak with a wisdom seemingly beyond his years. "Certain elements of the human condition really do transcend language, and connect us in a sort of ineffable, existential way, something that's evident when you read a love poem of Catullus or a passage of Virgil."

Lest we get the idea that this serious young man is all books, Conor is also known around school as an active participant in the Model UN and a frequent actor on the BFS stage, most recently the lead role in An Ideal Husband. In his free time he obsesses over music, composing his first original scores this past summer. "I try to compose at least a few lines of music each day," he said. Conor hasn't heard from any colleges yet, but is presently torn between music or evolutionary biology as possible majors. "I'm not a fan of experiments and lab work, but I'm absolutely captivated by the theory and mathematical models that underpin natural selection and genetics," he carefully explained.

Fellow senior and Merit Scholar Max S. is President of the Upper School Student Senate, and like Conor he is an IB student feeling the stresses of senior year. Still, he said, "I've developed some great relationships with almost all of my teachers and it feels good to be a leader." He described his particular fascination with and natural affinity for math and related subjects, but said he strives to be "a more well-rounded person." Max is also involved with Model UN, and has been on the school's soccer and track teams. He was ranked 14th among all private school runners in the 800 meter run last year. He's also a Student Ambassador for the school, working closely with the Admissions Office meeting with new and prospective students.

Max was accepted early decision to UPenn and is eager to make the move to Philly next fall. He hasn't decided on a major but he plans to focus on economics or politics. "My dream job would be to work at the IMF."

Fellow senior and IB student Sarah D., another of the school's Merit Scholars, is thriving in her science and math courses this semester, and wrapping up her last basketball season at the school. The team has made it to finals; not a bad way to go out. She's been playing since Middle School, so this final season for her is "pretty exciting. It's fun to see us finally succeed." She'll also be playing varsity softball this spring. 

Sarah's also working with classmate Samantha R. to organize the Saint Baldrick's and Locks of Love event in early March, in which students (with their parent's permission) and faculty get their heads shaved or their hair cut to benefit childhood cancer research. She's been accepted early action to one college and is awaiting results from others. She plans to major in Environmental Science.

Junior Katie C. is immersed in IB math and English this year. The Merit Scholar also played varsity volleyball this fall, and is continuing outside of school on a club volleyball team. "I put a lot of time into it so I really need to be organized around my homework assignments." She's also cramming for the upcoming SATs and is confident she'll do well.

"Junior year has been great. I've been able to explore both my academic and creative interests," said Katie's classmate Jessica C., also a Merit Scholar. "I'm particularly passionate about IB English because of the novels we read, some of my favorites being Sula and Native Son. Like Katie, Jessica is serious about volleyball. In the fall she wrapped up her third year on the team and they were league champions. She's also part of the school's Panthers Supreme Dance Team, and is a member of an Upper School lunchtime group called Women of Strength, which she described as "a way for girls to come together, a type of support group for the females in the community."

Junior classmate and Merit Scholar Jacob G. has also opted for the IB diploma.   "One particularly interesting and challenging class is Physics," he said. "It's conceptually difficult to grasp at times, and it's a rigorous class, but it's also engaging and extremely interesting." Jacob also played the role of Orsino in this year's Upper School musical Illyria, was cast in a new play written by a classmate as part of the IB curriculum's Second Stages program, and serves as managing editor of the Panther Press, the school's newspaper.

Sophomore Theo E., Vice President of his class, is also planning to commit to the IB curriculum starting next year. He's currently immersed in history class and has a big paper coming up. "I picked the first crusade--mainly the effects of Pope Urban II's speech at Clermont and how it inspired the troops. It's going to be tough." Doubtless that's an understatement. His history course is taught by longtime BFS faculty Vlad Malukoff, known for his demanding assignments. "I encourage younger students to listen to [ninth grade history teacher] Dr. DeGraff, who is trying to prepare them for the copious amounts of writing done with Vlad."