Paulomi Rao – Stamford High School
Celebrity Prom Date
Ryan Reynolds
Fashion Obsession
Sperry’s
On the Tube
How I Met Your Mother. “And it’s over and I cried but it couldn’t have ended more perfectly.”
Smart Genes
Brother Jayant (now at UPenn) was a 2012 Stamford Teen to Watch
Favorite Movie
27 Dresses
Snacks On
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Pet Peeve
“GPA quoting”
Modern Teenager’s Dilemma
“Getting dressed in the morning”
Study Tip
“Study smart. It’s not about how many hours but how efficient and focused you are.”
Role Model
Mom Monica, “who came from India and was totally motivated by her desire to make a better life for us.”
Nonprofit She Loves
Camp Ameriakids, which is devoted to giving kids with HIV/AIDS and Sickle Cell Disease a positive summer experience
Daniel Getman – Westhill High School
Entrepreneurial Idol
Steve Jobs “for constantly coming up with new ideas”
Guilty Pleasure
Chocolate and candy. “People are a little jealous I have the metabolism to get away with it.”
Favorite Movie
Forest Gump
Study Tip
“Do a little every night and don’t cram.”
Fluent In
Russian and Spanish
Inspiring Journey
Exploring his family’s native Yelta, in Crimea. “It’s a warm dry climate with crystal clear water.”
Anthony Gentile – Academy of Information Technology & Engineering
Guilty Pleasure
Watching “way too much Netflix”
On the Tube
Band of Brothers
Favorite Subject
“It surprises people to hear that I go to AITE because I’m most passionate about history; U.S. History and European History. I love the way it helps explain where society is right now.”
Favorite Film
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Recommended Reading
The Righteous Mind “is a great book about morality.”
Style Signature
“I always wear long sleeve shirts with rolled up sleeves.”
App He Loves
Sound Cloud
Sports Idol
Derek Jeter
Pet Peeve
“People wearing hats backwards on a sunny day”
Nonprofit He Loves
Stamford Boys & Girls Club
In Ten Years Look For Me…
“Getting my Ph.D.”
Music Idol
Foo Fighters founder Dave Grohl “for being an amazing singer, songwriter and guitarist who has managed to stay free of some of the vices of a rock star”
Aspires to Learn
How to play the cello
Allison Weiner – King Low Heywood Thomas
Sports Idol
Hope Solo
Role Model
“My mother, Marnie, was diagnosed with MS a few years back and she lives like it doesn’t bother her, but it has to.”
Guilty Pleasure:
“Netflix and the Vampire Diaries”
Favorite Movie
Bridesmaids
Inspiring Journey
“Paris. I took so many pictures.”
Part-Time Job
Tutoring
Roots For
The Miami Heat
Would Love to Cure…
MS
In Ten Years Look For Me…
“Doing my medical residency.”
Pet Peeve
Loud chewing
Modern Teenager’s Dilemma
“High expectations put us under incredible pressure.”
On Having Her Dad, Alex, Teach at King
“I used to hate it but now I know him as a person—not just as my dad—and that’s pretty cool. I just can’t get in trouble.”
Jenna Plotzky – Westhill High School
Guilty Pleasure
Crime shows including Criminal Minds, The Closer, CSI, NCIS. “I like to guess what happened.”
Favorite Films
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Life is Beautiful
Part-Time Job
Counselor at the Long Ridge Camp
Inspiring Journey
The March of the Living tour of World War II concentration camps which ended with a visit to Israel
Personal Motto
“Sometimes you have to be your own hero.”
Charities She Supports
Relay for Life and the Multiple Sclerosis Society
Role Model
“My mother, Susan, is a wonderful living example of the Jewish concept of the Mitzvah. She constantly puts herself second to the needs of others.”
Modern Teenager’s Dilemma
“Other teens. You have avoid getting wrapped up in the judgments of your peers.”
Fashion Statement
“I love my combat boots and wear them all the time.”
Matt Sperrazza – Trinity Catholic High School
Can’t Listen To
Heavy Metal
Role Model
First cousin and 2012 Teen to Watch Nick Bellacicco (now at Baylor University) for “the way he enthusiastically pursues all the things he wants to achieve.”
Gives Back By
Ice skating with the Special Olympics
Keeping Faith
Matt’s an altar server and involved in the youth group at St. Leo’s Church
Music Idol
Ryan Tedder, the lead singer of One Republic, for being “just as accomplished as a songwriter” and penning hits for artists ranging from Beyoncé to Adele
Sports Idols:
“I’m the biggest fan ever of the New York Rangers.”
Pet Peeve “Off-key singing”
Would Love to Cure…
Food Allergies. Matt has several severe ones including to peanuts, tree nuts, peas and beans. “So meals at my house are pretty interesting.”
Study Tip
“Do all the extra credit work..
On His iPod:
Lots of Bruno Mars, Adam Levine and Justin Timberlake
Allison Primak – Greenwich Academy
Guilty Pleasure
Sex & The City reruns
Recommended Reading
Life of Pi
Favorite Food Pasta
Political Idol
Hilary Clinton. “It would be cool to see the first female American president. It’s time.”
Feminist Idol
Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie
Part-Time Job
Teaching at Greenwich’s Garden Education Center
Cause She Supports
“Anything related to domestic violence awareness”
Role Model
Greenwich Academy Head of Upper School Tom Sullivan for “creating an atmosphere that’s sensitive to girls, women and being supportive of the idea that feminism has a place on campus.”
Would Love to Cure…
Sexism and injustice
Pet Peeve
Hypocrites
Michelle Printsev – Academy of Information Technology & Engineering
Favorite Movie
The Godfather
Going Green
Michelle has worked as Junior Environmental Educator at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center
Important Mentor
Debate coach Claude Morest “for believing in me and pushing me to put the effort in to become the kind of debater who can win.”
American Political Hero
The late President Ronald Reagan for leading the country through the end of the Cold War. “It was a tough time and it could have gone another way without his leadership.”
Nonprofit She Supports
The Wounded Warrior Project “because I believe people don’t realize or appreciate the sacrifice of our veterans.”
Study Tip
“Keep track of your study schedule and commitments. If you’re not on top of it, then twenty more things pop up and you’ll be overwhelmed.”
Ashish Ramachandran – Brunswick School
Guilty Pleasure
“I watch way too many TV shows where I admire the acting.” His picks? Game of Thrones, House of Cards and Sherlock.
Favorite Food
Soul food specialties including fried chicken, apple pie and ice cream
Sports Idol
Jonathan Powers, the world’s No. 1 ranked squash player for “his style of play.”
Favorite App
Stock updates
Advice to Underclassmen
“The lead up to college is so demanding, but don’t pad your resume. Do what you love.”
Academy Awards Speech
“I’d like to thank my parents, my high school acting teacher and, of course, the Academy.”
In Ten Years Look For Me…
“on TV or Wall Street.”
Secret Talent
Bhangra, an indigenous Indian dance
Dream Role
“I would love to play a politician.”
Favorite Actor
Kevin Spacey
Role Models
“My parents came from India with six months’ savings and no guarantees of success, but they survived, persevered and gave me great opportunities.”
Ryan Wolfe – Trinity Catholic High School
On the Tube
Law & Order
Stress Buster
Golf for its cerebral calm. “It’s a great day as long as the people ahead of you aren’t playing too slow.”
Role Model
“My grandfather, Frank Mecca, has been a really important part of my life. I’m always with him.”
Study Tip
“I say, ‘Do it and get it over with,’ but no one listens!”
Jazz Standard
“I love Frank Sinatra, and some of the old guys my grandpa listens to.”
Secret Talent
Playing his electric Stratocaster guitar
Music Idols
Aerosmith, Journey, Kiss and Queen
Important Mentor
Chemistry teacher Dorothy Griffen “for really encouraging my love of science.”
Modern Teenager’s Dilemma
“You’ve got to rise above peer pressure.”