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Part II: Byram Hills Stories to Remember in Armonk

MIT Award and Good Will and Hard Work of Dance Team

By Rich MonettiPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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Prestigious MIT Award for Byram Hills Senior

Byram Hills High School Senior Danielle Adilletta has won the Women’s and Gender Studies Category of the National High School MIT Inspire Research Competition in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Founded by MIT sophomore Vaishnavi Rao, the mission of the program is to encourage young people to seek solutions through in depth inquiry in the humanities, arts, and social science fields. At the opening ceremony in April, MIT Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart called INSPIRE quintessential MIT. A project that blends independent initiative with serious, hands-on inquiry, Barnhart added.

In her research work in the Byram Hills’ Dr. Robert Pavlica Authentic Science Research Program, Adilletta conducted a study based on the manner in which women of varying educational levels obtain information on the practice of breastfeeding.

She expressed a reasonable amount of surprise upon hearing the results of her recognition. “It’s MIT. There’s a lot of really smart people involved,” Danielle said.

The competition, which yielded Danielle a $1500 cash prize, consisted of research round and a presentation round. After reports were submitted, Danielle was invited to the final round on MIT's campus in April. She presented her research before MIT professors, researchers, and graduate students with expertise in women's and gender studies.

For students, the first year is reserved for research. Danielle learned that women of higher educational means were more likely to learn the most effective means of breastfeeding through doctors, support groups and literature. On the other hand, women of lower educational means were more likely to learn through friends and family.

So Danielle identified the information gap between levels of education and then spent junior year verifying the hypothesis. In turn, through social media and various online sources, she was able to provide a questionnaire to 148 women in Westchester County who satisfied the higher educational group.

Next, Danielle reached out to Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx to get feedback from 153 women of lower educational means. Analyzing the results and completing her study, senior year was reserved for writing up her proposal and entering different contests. “The MIT judges were very impressed with my study—especially the large diverse quantity of subjects,” Danielle said.

In return, Danielle thanked her Harvard Mentor Dr. Emily Oken and Science Teacher David Keith who is the Director of Byram Hills High School Dr. Robert Pavlica Authentic Science Research Program. Thus, she hopes the study helps give more women access to pertinent information so they can get the most benefits out of breast feeding.

As for how that info will be disseminated, she leaves that to the school. "It's out there if people want to see it,” said Danielle.

Heading to Villanova in the fall, Danielle plans to study Secondary Education and admits that she is all “researched out,” but obviously has no regrets. “I learned how to work with research professionals and write professionally,” she concluded.

Byram Hills Dance Team raises over $4244 for Mount Kisco childcare.

Anyone who has been a cheerleader knows that taking to the gym floor can be pretty unnerving. This especially when the actual hoopla that the student body turns out for largely overshadows any numbers the girls put up. Byram Hills Dance Team Coach Stephanie Rizzi agrees, and thinks there’s even more courage required when her girls go out to fill a break in the action.

Of course, it helps when team members are able to blend in with their little crowd. “There’s safety in numbers,” Rizzi said of her five women team, which consists of Jennifer Spruck, Anastacia Villis, Gabby Santiago, Jessica Primiano and Debbi Fiori.

But the nature of dancing goes a long way to alleviate any anxiety in her opinion. “When you’re able to choreograph to music you really like, it does something for your soul,” said the HC Crittenden Special Education Teacher’s Aide.

The Dance Team’s work also elevates the girls to a higher plane, because they have traditionally tied a cause to their choreography. “This year they chose Mount Kisco Childcare because a few of them volunteered there when they were younger,” said Rizzi. “So they felt a responsibility to give back.”

Through six bake sales, the total fundraising came to $4,244. “I have never seen so much money raised at bake sales,” said Rizzi.

Coach Rizzi wasn’t the only one taken aback. “I was overwhelmed by their generosity, and the capacity they show to think other than themselves,” said Dawn Meyerski, Executive Director of Mount. Kisco Childcare.

As it was, the Dance Team performed for a room full of toddlers, preschoolers, and after school age kids. Captivated by the girls' bounce, the children enjoyed it most when asked to join the team and give it a good kick.

All told, the commitment of practice and planning, bake sales and performing requires a dance of its own to just get their homework done. “They put a lot of effort into this,” said Rizzi in conclusion.

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Rich Monetti

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