Meet Matthew Chen
Q: What is your role in the robotics club?
A: I am President of the Tech Club and Captain of the BHS Robotics Team.

Q: How long have you been involved in the club?
A: I have been involved for 4 years

Q: What was one of your favorite things you have done in this club?
A: Pitching to local businesses for sponsorships.

Q: Does being a part of this club correlate with anything you want to do in the future?
A: Yes, I have a strong passion for STEM

Q: What is some advice you would give to someone wanting to join the robotics club?
A: Tech Club is a great way to explore your passion, build teamwork skills, and gain leadership experience. You are still welcome to join the club with no previous experience.

Q: What other extracurriculars are you a part of?
A: I am a member of Key Club, and I play golf for BHS.

Q: When did you join tech club, and why?
A: I joined Tech Club my freshman year because I enjoy building stuff and creating projects with microcomputers.

Q: What personal goals do you wish to achieve in tech club this year?
A: I hope to leave a legacy behind by founding the first BHS Robotics team.

Q: What goals do you wish tech club could achieve even after you graduate?
A: I hope the Robotics program can continue and improve every season. I also hope the club can create an inclusive environment that promotes STEM education.

Q: Do you know what college you want to go to after you graduate?
A: I applied to a variety of technical schools and liberal arts colleges. Currently I am still waiting to hear back from colleges.

Q: What are you interested in majoring in?
A: I plan to major in Engineering.

Q: What accomplishments have you made in the robotics club?
A: Starting the first ever VEX Robotics team in BHS and winning Northern NJ STEM Competition my junior year.

Q: Was it challenging starting the robotics team? If so, how?
A: Some challenges we are facing are 1) not having space for a field 2) need more funding.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do in your free time and why?
A: Playing golf because it’s relaxing and good practice.

Q: What is one thing you are going to miss when you go to college?
A: All of the friends I made in high school.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
A: Europe because of its deep history and I have only visited once.

Q: Out of your four years at BHS which one has been your favorite and why?
A: Junior year because it’s the first in-person school year after lockdown.

Q: What are your go-to snacks and why?
A: Wontons are my snack of choice.

Meet Sophia Malleo
Q: How long have you been an EMT?
A: I’ve been an EMT for almost two years.

Q: What caused you to want to become an EMT?
A: I’ve always known I wanted to go into medicine, specifically something emergency medicine related, and this was a perfect first step for me to take.

Q: How much training was required to become an EMT?
A: My class was around 300 hours of in-person training and around 80-100 hours of lectures/textbook work/studying.

Q: What is your favorite part about being an EMT?
A: Every time I go to work I experience a new situation. I’ve never had the same call twice and each time I go I’m challenged to think on my feet and work creatively, which I love. There is also a lot of adrenaline involved in certain situations and many interesting stories that result from it.

Q: Is it challenging balancing school work, being an EMT, as well as other extracurricular activities?
A: Yes, at times it is very difficult balancing everything. I have to make sure that I’m managing my time well and staying on top of everything. I have a very packed schedule, but I enjoy being busy.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to become an EMT?
A: Someone who is looking to become an EMT should make sure they join a squad that is the right fit for them and should definitely join a squad before enrolling in a class. They should also make sure they have the time to dedicate and the motivation to make it through the class, because it can be a lot at times.

Q: Does being an EMT correspond with anything you would like to do in the futu
A: Yes. As I said before, I want to go into medicine when I am older. Working as an EMT has not only confirmed that this is what I want to do, but has made me extremely excited to pursue it since I enjoy this job so much. It is also a great way for me to gain clinical experience, which will definitely pay off in the future.

Q:What extracurricular activities do you do outside of school, if any?
A: This is my primary extracurricular outside of school, but I also aid in teaching EMT classes, work at two non-profit organizations, and have other side jobs. I play piano and golf for fun as well.

Q: What are you interested in majoring in?
A: I am likely going to dual major or do a major/minor in biophysics and spanish language.

Q: What are you most passionate about?
A: I am most passionate about my job as an EMT.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do in your free time and why?
A: My favorite thing to do in my free time is to spend time with my friends because I do not get to see them a lot during school and I love to hnag out with them.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
A: New Zealand

Q: What are you going to miss the most when you go to college?
A: I am going to miss being around all of my bestfriends and family.