INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY

Grayson Maki ’23

“Grayson once made electricity from blackberry juice during independent study,” shares AP Economics teacher Mr. Alan Bradshaw.

Go ahead and read that twice…Grayson once made electricity from blackberry juice.

Sitting down with Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) secretary Grayson Maki ’23, it doesn’t take long to realize he likes learning. “EHS fosters that soaking up of knowledge,” explains Grayson.

Mr. John Flanagan shares, “Teaching Grayson was such a pleasure. He enjoys the learning process and wants to dig deeper into complex material. For Physics 1 Honors, the extra work can be complex (geosynchronous orbits, black holes…), but Grayson would show up to tutorials, and we would sit and talk for hours.”

Grayson’s intellectual curiosity is what Stands Out to math teacher Mr. Justin Hickey. “Grayson soaks up new knowledge very quickly and enjoys any chance to apply what he has learned, especially if it involves using mathematics.

Grayson will attend the University of Chicago in the fall to study molecular engineering. “I knew for a while that (UChicago) is where I wanted to go but when I got in, it was just the most relieved and the happiest I can remember being,” adds Grayson. “I took a summer class on molecular engineering and I really enjoyed it. The class was virtual, and they sent us these materials to make dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) where we assembled them; then we put them under lamps, and it generated electricity.” Grayson says he’s going into college open minded about his career path but sees a successful future in the major he’s declared.

“I think molecular engineering is a path that is going to allow for so many more efficient and more precise ways of doing things in all fields. I think it has applications everywhere, and I think it is going to really grow in the future.”

When he thinks about what made a lasting impact on him during his high school years, Grayson says it’s the feeling of knowing someone will be there when you need them. “I really feel like there is a sense of community here. When I’ve needed anything, whether it was academics or outside of that, I feel that EHS always had someone that I could go to for emotional support, academic help, or anything I needed.”

For the student who made electricity from blackberry juice, anything is possible, and we can’t wait to see the amazing things Grayson will achieve.

– Jessica Morales, Director of Communications