Student Accomplishments

Student Accomplishments Ethan Ko, Kindergarten, Chess

In March, Ethan Ko participated in an Inter-School Exchange chess tournament hosted by GVS and open to all students of neighboring private schools. Sixty students participated in three divisions: 1st & 2nd Grade, 3rd & 4th Grade, and 5th-8th Grades, using the Swiss pairing system. (Often there is a Kindergarten division but this event only had one K participant: Ethan Ko.) In the words of the seasoned event chair announcing the results: “We have a very unusual situation — the only time I think this has ever happened — where a kindergarten player won all five games for a perfect score of 5-0...in the 1st and 2nd Grade division! Ethan Ko.”

Ashani Ahuja, 5th, Golf

Ashani started playing golf at five years old, and started competing at eight. She now practices and trains year-round. She represented New York State in the World

Championships last summer in Pinehurst, North Carolina and secured a spot in the top 75. Ashani says chipping is the best part of her game; accordingly, her favorite club is the 56º wedge. She was one of 12 girls from nine neighboring states to qualify for the 2019 Regional Drive Chip & Putt Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club. Her lowest tournament score is 78 for 18 holes, and 35 for 9 holes. Her favorite tour pro? Brooks Koepka. Best advice ever? “Nothing worth having comes easily.”

Evan Kim, 4th | Maya Serrano, 5th, 1st Place, Battle of the Bands

Two of the four members of local rock band “Blue Tomorrow” are Green Vale students. Through Bach2Rock in Port Washington, Evan Kim, electric guitar, and Maya Serrano, lead vocals, spent most of a year rehearsing under Grammy-winning drummer Rich Kulsar. At a “Battle of the Bands” event held at renowned music venue City Winery in New York City last spring, Blue Tomorrow won first place in the elementary school division. Evan practices guitar every day; his favorite band is Green Day. Maya is now writing her own songs.

From an early age, Samantha has been fascinated with the sport of rock climbing and couldn’t wait to be old enough to begin lessons. For the past three years she has honed her skills with weekly lessons at an indoor climbing facility, Island Rock. With the help of her instructor, she has mastered the skills needed for top roping and bouldering. Nothing gets her more excited than reaching the top of a challenging wall, touching the bar, and seeing the world from a different view. Her next challenge will be lead climbing. She explains, “It’s where you climb with your rope, and as you climb you clip the rope to the wall. It’s definitely more challenging but it’s another part of this sport I love and can’t wait to learn!” Samantha Jurim, 5th, Rock Climbing

Isabella & Camila Cushman, 8th Pancake Entrepreneurs

Isa’s Mochi Mix began as a quest for tastier gluten-free pancakes and quickly grew into a business. Complete with original packaging and branding, the product enjoys robust sales in seven stores, including Locust Valley Market, Rising Tide, and seasonally in Maine, as well as selling via their website (www.isasmochimix.com).

After experimenting with recipes made from almond and coconut flour, Isa discovered the key to superior taste: sweet rice flour, or mochi flour. “These pancakes are moist and have the perfect balance of fluffiness and sweetness,” she explains.

The business is a 50/50 team effort between the sisters, with Isa tending toward the creative (recipes, Instagram, design) and Camila managing the sales and distribution side. For those wishing to place an order, the website contains some important wisdom: “Please note: All orders are shipped on Saturdays. This business is run by children and school comes first. Thank you for understanding!”

Anna Sophia Bloch, 8th, Spelling

Anna Sophia Bloch, winner of the GVS Spelling Bee with the word ‘prestigious’, qualified for participation in the TFCU Regional Spelling Bee at Long Island University on March 12 (pictured here with Daniel Wang, second place).