A math phenom, a celebrated artist, a varsity swimmer and water polo player, a Latin and Greek scholar, a Harvard Book Prize winner—what an amazing group of teens, right? Wrong. That list describes just one of our 2024 Teens to Watch. Andrew Tu, the teen in question (the question being: How on earth?), might feel special for the mention here, but honestly, all of these ten superstars are a multihyphenates of mind-boggling proportions. And not only do they do it all, they do it all with heart.
They build computers from scratch, start robotics clubs for younger kids and help the elderly with tech tasks. They go to Juilliard on weekends, break Guinness Book records and raise tens of thousands of dollars for children in need. They conduct sophisticated scientific research with college professors, publish in scholarly journals and break down barriers in sports.
In short, they give us hope. Read on to be reassured that the future of our community and the planet is in good hands.
CLAIRE YU
Rye Country Day School
President of the Abilis youth board, captain of the Rye girls’ golf team, outstanding student, scientific researcher, founder of a nonprofit organization—Claire Yu is a master of time management. The senior at Rye Country Day School juggled five AP classes during her junior year, while maintaining an ambitious schedule of leadership and service endeavors after school.
“My brother Brandon has high-functioning autism,” explains Claire. “He’s only two years older than I am, so we’ve basically done life together. He is incredibly smart and successful but struggles with social skills. Abilis helps adults with developmental issues find housing and jobs. It’s a calling I relate to.”
She became involved with Abilis before high school and is actively engaged in events and fundraising. She and a friend won the fundraising cup junior year. The Together We Shine dance is an event she finds particularly heartwarming. “Watching the Abilis members having so much fun all night was so incredible,” she says.
Golf is also an important part of Claire’s life—and a sport she has been determined to share with other girls, especially those who are less likely to have the opportunity to play. She formed her own nonprofit organization, GirlGolf, Inc. (girlgolf.org) with the goal of introducing the sport to girls in underrepresented areas.
“It started when I joined the high school golf team in eighth grade. It didn’t have a big presence. I was trying to get girls to try out and got a lot of no’s. I was surprised by how many girls hadn’t played golf. It was partly social but also economic, and I wanted to break down those barriers,” she explains.
She planned a free event for 30 girls, providing everyone with their own golf clubs, instruction by local golf pros, golf attire, a fun golf scramble, giveaways and a celebratory meal.
Claire has been captain of the RCDS varsity golf team since sophomore year. She enjoys moments like winning the NYSAIS individual and team championship but most of all values the community. “Golf is such an individual sport,” she comments. “It’s great to be in a group of girls who all play together.”
Claire is also a member of the RCDS physics team and is an instructor for the RCDS Middle School math team. And, to round out her full plate, she conducted scientific research at Seton Hall University on the effects of bromoquinone on weight gain in rats, which became part of a recent patent application.
Q&A
WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
Launching my nonprofit. I had no knowledge of how to do it. I didn’t have a mentor. I went online and learned how to get 501c3 status. I filed and sent the letter to our local senator. I had to reach out to a lot of golf courses to find one to host our event. I finally found one but then discovered they didn’t have a driving range, so I had to switch the course a month before.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF?
I don’t think my freshman self would have believed me if I said I would set up my own organization. I would tell her, “You can do hard things. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything.”
which TEACHER HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?
One teacher who has been really special to me is my math teacher, Mrs. Kahn. I did not do well on the first two tests in her BC Calculus class, but I told her I didn’t want to drop down a level, so what can I do? We started meeting every other day, and I made a huge improvement really quickly. She was so supportive. I have an A in the class.
WORDS TO LIVE BY?
As my golf coach says, “Take it one shot at a time.”