by Kyle Lockett
One qualified for Junior Nationals to become an All-American in swimming, while maintaining a 4.5 GPA and winning gold medals with her Empire State swimming team. The other is fresh off a trip to Reno, Nevada’s International Science and Engineering Fair. He won the trip for his research in neurobiology, which showed the glial cells of the brain play more of a role in memory than what was previously believed.
Though only 17, Christina Costa, valedictorian, and Ian Mathews of Irvington High School have already had practice at being accomplished academically and are preparing themselves for the next level.
They even share an interest in science. While Costa contemplates pre-med at Georgetown University, Mathews, although undecided in his major, has demonstrated through his research an affinity for neurobiology, which he’ll have a chance to study at Stanford University.
Costa is looking forward to her summer travel schedule, which includes Florida, California and Pennsylvania for upcoming swim meets. When asked how she was able to stay on top of her academics while traveling across the country, she smoothly explained her formula for success by saying, “I’d bring my homework on the plane with me or on whatever we traveled in.” It is that type of dedication and diligence that has won Costa the respect of her peers, so much so that not only is she the valedictorian, but she’s also the class president and is slated to give the commemoration speech at her graduation June 20 at Irvington High School.
Mathews also has a busy summer planned. He bought a five-passenger sail boat for $4,500 and sailed, for two days, from Lloyd Harbor in Long Island to Irvington. “I love to sail. I like to be out doors running and sailing, just enjoying nature,” he said. He also plays the cello for his schools wind ensemble and pit orchestra and still has time to play president to the Young Democrats and the Latin Club. In addition, Mathews is captain of his track team, which placed third in New York and won the Sectionals.
Both seniors have expressed optimism for the fall where they hope to make the proper adjustments to college life. While Matthews go-with-the-flow optimism will help him take things as they come, Costa hopes to use her versatility to make a splash in class, as well as the pool, where she has the ability to swim the 200 backstroke, 200 freestyle and 100 fly.
Whether swimming or sailing, Costa and Mattews have demonstrated the capability to ride the waves of change, a characteristic they are sure to make frequent use of.
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