Meet Dani, recipient of over $450,000.00 in scholarship offers and an incoming neuroscience student at FAU Wilkes Honors College. She has served as Keystone School’s Student Council President, excelled as a competitive swimmer, and is on her path to becoming a future anaesthesiologist.

We had the opportunity to interview Dani about her passion for science, her academic and extracurricular achievements, advice for students pursuing STEM scholarships and preparing for high school, and her favourite memories from Keystone.

Read on and watch her full Q&A to get inspired by her journey!

1. What first sparked your interest in neuroscience and the study of the brain?

I’m interested in medicine and anything that has to do with the human body. I was initially interested in the cardiovascular system, but I eventually realized that I wanted to explore something new. Another really important system in the body is the brain, which I was excited to learn more about.

2. You’ve received offers from top programs including a full-ride scholarship. How did that feel?

It felt amazing. It really made me feel like all the hard work I’ve put in over the years has paid off.

3. Are you leaning towards any particular university at this point and why?

I’m leaning toward FAU’s Honors College because they offer amazing research internships and study abroad programs. I feel like these opportunities would be really valuable as I continue my bachelor’s degree.

4. What advice would you give to other students applying for scholarships in STEM?

I would tell them to stay consistent with their studies and their work, and also to seek a lot of extracurricular opportunities. Especially for many American schools, they’re looking for students who are involved with the school community outside of the classroom.

5. What extracurricular activities are you involved in at Keystone School?

I am on the Yearbook Committee, I am the president of Student Council, and I was a member of the STEM Club.

For the Yearbook Committee, a small group of us spend the year designing the yearbook and asking opinions from the students and teachers about what they would like to see included. It’s a collaborative process that involves the whole school, and we print it out by May.

Members of the Student Council have lots of responsibilities. During the holidays, we completely decorate the school–my favorite is Christmas because we get to decorate the Christmas tree! We also do bake sales to raise money and plan field trips for students, which can be as fun as they are educational.

In the Mentorship Program, a handful of high school students acted as mentors to middle school mentees. We helped the younger students develop skills essential for high school and had lessons on topics like time management and plagiarism.

6. What advice would you give to students entering high school?

My advice would be not to worry too much. I remember feeling nervous when I first started high school because it was something new, but I had a great experience at Keystone. If you go to a school like Keystone, there is really not that much to stress about. Your teachers truly care about making sure you understand the material and do your best work. You have nothing to worry about and it’s going to be great–– it’s a fun experience!

7. How do you see your chosen field shaping your future career?

I would really like to be a doctor. I selected neuroscience as my major because it fulfills all of the requirements for medical school, which keeps that path open for me. While I’m still young and keeping my options open, I really hope to attend medical school in the future. Studying neuroscience will help prepare me for the MCAT and medical school admissions when the time comes.

8. What kind of doctor do you want to be?

I’m currently interested in becoming an anesthesiologist. I think anesthesiologists play a very important role during surgery, even though their work is sometimes overlooked. They have to carefully monitor the patient and manage many factors to ensure the patient’s safety before, during, and after surgery.

9. What achievement are you most proud of?

One achievement I’m really proud of comes from swimming. In 2022, I placed first overall among female competitors in a triathlon!

10. How do you balance rigorous STEM courses with extracurriculars and personal interests?

I like to follow a schedule and stay on top of my work. I dedicate a certain amount of my day to studying, school activities, and having fun, which helps me balance my responsibilities.

11. How do you like to spend your time outside of school?

I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends. I’m the youngest of three sisters, and we’re all within four years of age, so we are very close.

12. What’s the most memorable or funniest thing that happened in high school?

One of my favourite memories was during a Halloween party at school. Most students were inside watching movies and playing games, but a small group of us—including my sister—went outside to carve pumpkins with some of the teachers. We spent the afternoon laughing and talking, and it turned into a really fun and memorable moment.