Senator Martins Congratulates Great Neck South High School Intel Semifinalists

Senator Jack M. Martins had the honor of visiting Great Neck South High School on Thursday, April 28 to congratulate seniors Samantha Phillips and Brian Miranda for being named semifinalists in the Intel Science Competition. Senator Martins presented them with copies of a Resolution that was passed on the floor of the Senate recognizing the Intel semifinalists from the Seventh Senate District.

Samantha’s project, “Strategies Utilized by People with Autism and Neuro-typical Individuals to Determine Emotion in Faces,” focused on ways to gauge emotion with people with Autism. Samantha was drawn to the subject after volunteering at the Genesis School in Plainview. When she is not concentrating on her studies, Samantha works as the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. She will be attending Duke University to pursue a medical degree.

Brian’s project, “Molecular Dynamics Simulations Suggest a Structural Basis for the Slow-onset Inhibition of KasA by Thiolactomycin and Provide Insights for TB Drug Discovery,” focused on computer simulations to effectively deal with Tuberculosis. Brian is also president of the student government, plays soccer and teaches Latin. He will be attending Stanford University.

These students are renaissance students. They do everything and they’re nice people,” said Great Neck South High School Principal Susan Elliott.

“I was incredibly impressed with Samantha and Brian. They have a strong desire to learn and to experience all that education has to offer. They are already doing work that is a great benefit to society. It is a tribute to them and their hard work. Their talents are able to fully shine because of the wonderful environment the Great Neck School District provides,” said Senator Martins.