Aspiring Engineer
I started my robotics journey in elementary school with First Lego League (FLL) and continued as a founding member of a First Tech Challenge (FTC) team in high school. As captain and mechanical lead of Tech Tigers #19411, I drive design decisions, train new members, and carefully balance performance requirements with budget and time constraints. In our first season, we were ranked third overall in the State Championship. The following year, we captained the winning alliance and advanced to the FIRST World Championship. In our third season, we set the state record and advanced to the semifinals at the First World Championship in Houston, earning a First Place Design Award and the number one autonomous score.
Driven Innovator
Growing up, I loved watching shows like “How Do They Do It?” and “Mythbusters." In my free time, I deconstructed old pieces of tech and tinkered with spare parts. Among many projects, I built a solenoid engine, a working seismograph, and XTick, a device that utilizes heat and pheromones to attract and eradicate ticks. I was recognized as a State Merit Winner in the Young Scientist Challenge for inventing EmuLight, a lighting solution that aligns with the body’s circadian rhythm to improve sleep patterns. Most recently, I interned at a precision engineering company, where I successfully repaired two malfunctioning 3D printers and assisted with live customer projects.
Mindful Leader
I was selected to represent my town as the ambassador for Project 351, a statewide youth leadership organization. In recognition for my commitment to service, I was appointed to the Alumni Mentoring Council. For the past three years, I have organized 8 community-wide volunteer initiatives and led 20 new ambassadors through their first year of civic leadership.
I am also actively involved in student government. As Communications Chair of Student Council, I foster engagement and build school spirit through creative marketing campaigns. As Co-Chair of the Student Advisory Committee, I advocate for my peers’ interests in district-wide decisions. I am committed to building a culture of service and inclusion as Vice President of NHS and Spanish Co-Chair of WLNHS.
Savvy Entrepreneur
Working alongside like-minded peers, I co-founded Internect, an online recruiting platform that empowers high school students through impactful internships. We built a fully functional prototype, developed marketing materials, and established partnerships with six non-profit organizations. Internect was one of the few startups to meet LaunchX’s stringent criteria for "business viability."
To help my peers develop important life skills, I started a financial literacy club in my freshman year. I vetted educational resources, organized speaker series, and prepared our members for nationwide competitions. This year, we placed second in the year-long session of the Stock Market Game. My team was also a top scorer in the National Personal Finance Challenge.
Avid Researcher
Frequent discussions at our dinner table about electric vehicles inspired me to delve deeper into the rapidly evolving landscape of green technologies. Over the course of six months, I examined the role of batteries in accelerating the electrification of transportation and enabling the transition to renewable energy generation. I compiled information from secondary sources, conducted original analysis, and summarized my findings in a research paper titled: “Cost of Battery Storage: A Catalyst for Electric Vehicle Adoption.” (pending publication in the International Journal for High School Research)
Digital Artist
Throughout high school, I have used my emerging digital art skills to enhance my work and support my many passions. For example, I have successfully leveraged my graphic design skills to promote Project 351 service initiatives and STEM outreach events organized by my FTC team. I also enjoy capturing the beauty of the natural world through creative photography. My artistic talents allow me to augment my ideas with powerful visuals and increase their impact.
Just for Fun
RC Cars: A birthday gift from an indulgent grandparent quickly evolved into a hobby. Not only did I become a skilled driver, but by modifying my cars to achieve higher performance and durability, I further honed my engineering skills.
Model Trains: After visiting a museum while vacationing in New Hampshire, I became obsessed with the world of model trains. I spent a fun summer meticulously constructing my own model from scratch. I dedicated countless hours to sculpting landscapes, designing complex track layouts, and creating intricate miniatures.
Tennis: I have played tennis for as long as I can remember. I train at a local club year-round and have been a competing member of my school's varsity tennis team since my freshman year.
- Designed and developed by Sava Kassev