Richard Pastore – Dartmouth  

For Richard Pastore, Dartmouth College wasn’t just an Ivy, but a place that already felt familiar. His father, who studied English there, introduced him to the campus years ago. “I was able to explore the campus, so I knew about it and I knew that I liked it,” he explained.  

However, the acceptance was  ultimately his own. “If I didn’t like it, I probably wouldn’t have applied early.” During his time at Dartmouth, Pastore hopes to explore math and quantitative fields with potential applications in finance. Pastore is especially excited about the rigorous academic environment. “I’m looking forward to being taught by people who are passionate about their subjects, [and] who actually enjoy [them].” 

As a dedicated member of Lamar’s lacrosse team for four years, he credits the sport for his personal growth. “I’ve definitely stepped out of my comfort zone and become a lot more social, making long-lasting friendships.”  

Pastore offers grounded advice for future applicants: “Do what you’re interested in… build a profile around that. Do something you actually enjoy. It’s good to not be one-dimensional, but it’s also important to stay true to what you like.” 

With a clear sense of direction and an openness to new experiences, Richard Pastore is ready to begin his next chapter continuing a legacy while creating one of his own. 

Kamila Makasheva – Columbia   

Kamila Makasheva is taking her passion for global affairs to the next level as she prepares to attend Columbia University this fall through her majors in political science and a minor in Eastern European Studies.  “The constant and rapid change of the world,” motivates her interest, along with the need “to adjust and see the many aspects of what occurs in society and globally.” 

Throughout high school, Makasheva has built a reputation as a student who wasn’t afraid to challenge herself. By finding rigor in a wide range of subjects—including art history, philosophy, and physics—she embraced learning in all forms. Makasheva was also inspired by her junior English teacher, Mr. Zamora, who helped shape her perspective on academics. “He gave me a love for reading and finding connections where there aren’t any,” she said. 

Outside the classroom, she was an active member of both the swim and water polo teams and a key founder of Lamar’s Model United Nations team, which created “a space for global conversation”. 

At Columbia, Makasheva is excited about opportunities like the Harriman Institute, continuing water polo, and taking advantage of the university’s renowned research programs. 

During her time in the big apple, Kamila Makasheva is looking forward to deepening her engagement with global issues through curiosity and inquiry. 

Caitlyn Lin – Princeton

Caitlyn Lin will take her next academic step at Princeton University, where she plans to pursue molecular biology or a path in bioengineering/chemical engineering.  Her interest in medicine stems from experiences with illness in her family, including kidney disease and skin conditions. 

One of Lin’s biggest considerations when choosing Princeton was the university’s prestigious pre-med and STEM opportunities, describing it as “a really nice community… very focused,”.  

Her high school life was deeply involved in extracurriculars; she was part of NHS and the Asian American Association, where she explored cultural identity and community engagement. At Princeton, she plans to get involved in activities such as acapella, run club, intramural golf, and cultural organizations. “I’m kind of hoping to look for a society where I can belong, but also extend my personality and curiosity in different ways,” she explained. 

Lin notes how she has personally evolved over time: I’ve become more driven and more curious in my learning.” As she looks ahead, Lin hopes to continue growing. “I’m just excited to be more myself,” she stated. She hopes to become more confident, less self-conscious, and more open to new experiences. 

As Caitlyn Lin enters her next journey at Princeton, she is ready to embrace growth, exploration, and the opportunities that lie ahead. 

Magda Rajszewski – Princeton

Magda Rajszewski is bringing her passion for problem-solving and community impact to Princeton, where she plans to major in operations research and financial engineering with a minor in optimization and quantitative decision science. “I’m really interested in how math and data can be applied to real-world problems…especially in ways that create more efficient and informed systems,” she shared. 

Throughout the past four years, Rajszewski stood out for her commitment to service. As the founder of Leaders of Tomorrow, she worked to provide needs to students. She explained, “Not everyone starts with the same resources, so being able to bridge that gap was really important to me. Working with others and seeing the difference you can make, even in small ways, has been one of the most meaningful parts of my high school experience.” 

Rajszewski is drawn to the challenge and rigor of her intended major. “I like being pushed to think critically and solve complex problems,” she said. “It’s rewarding to take something complicated and break it down into something you can actually work through.” 

Looking ahead, Rajszewski is eager to take full advantage of the academic, student and professional opportunities at Princeton. “I’m excited to keep learning, but also to meet new people and explore new perspectives,” she said.