Two Harley Students Honored as National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalists

Two students, Luke Healey and Ezra Shin, from The Harley School were recently recognized with a remarkable milestone in their academic journeys: becoming National Merit semi-finalists.

This prestigious recognition is a testament to their hard work and dedication to academics. In this post, we’ll delve into their experiences, motivations, and future aspirations. Join us as we get to know these remarkable students.

Meet Luke Healey
What inspired you to pursue your academic interests?
I’ve always been passionate about learning and fascinated by how different subjects interconnect. For instance, I find psychology intriguing because it relates to understanding human behavior regardless of subject, while physics has so many practical applications in everyday life. History also draws me in as it helps explain how our current systems came to be.

What is your favorite subject, and why?
It’s hard to choose just one, as I have a deep appreciation for all of my subjects. I enjoy exploring history for its insights into human civilization, science for its explanations of natural phenomena, and music, which I practice both in and out of school.

What extracurricular activities or clubs are you involved in?
Cross Country: All four years
HYSO (Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra): Four years
D&D Club: President
GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance): Member
Student Council: All four years, President (this year)

How have extracurricular activities helped you grow as a person?
These activities have significantly boosted my self-confidence and helped me build valuable connections. Performing used to make me nervous, but with practice, it has become very enjoyable. Being involved in the Student Council has enhanced my teamwork, planning skills, and organizational abilities. Cross Country has taught me resilience and the importance of pushing through challenges, which translates to other areas of my life too.

What do you consider your greatest strengths?
One of my greatest strengths is my dedication. I put a lot of effort into everything I do—whether it’s my school work, extracurricular activities, or relationships with friends. I strive to give my best and avoid doing things halfway.

What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
A challenge I’ve faced is trying to control outcomes that are beyond my reach. When I was younger, I was overly concerned with other people’s actions and wished I could influence them. Over time, I’ve learned to focus on what I can control and accept that I can’t always achieve perfection.

What are your goals for the future?
My primary goal is to graduate and pursue higher education. I’m considering a career in public policy because I want to contribute to improving our government and systems. Additionally, I plan to continue with music as an important part of my life.

Who inspires you, and why?
My parents are my biggest inspiration. They have always supported me and valued my opinions. They openly acknowledge their flaws and work towards personal growth, which I find incredibly admirable. Their honesty and strength have deeply influenced me. Also they are both really great people and I love them a lot.

Meet Ezra Shin
Are there any specific experiences or influences that significantly shaped your academic interests?
My dad has been a major influence on my interest in math. Starting at a young age, he used Sunshine Math with me to help develop problem-solving skills and improve fluency. We would work through questions together. He also introduced me to behavioral economics, a subject he was interested in during college, and we would have discussions about it. Reading “Freakonomics,” which explores the unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena, really set me on my current path.

Additionally, Dr. Sheridan, one of Harley’s history instructors, leads a Human Rights class that includes sections on refugees. The intersection of economics, refugee experiences, and government policies aligns with my interests. I aspire to work in developmental economics both in the US and abroad.

How do you balance your academic responsibilities with other activities and interests?
I tend to procrastinate, so I need to stay organized by mapping out my homework and using a planner to visualize my tasks. Now that I drive, I find that working at the public library—where everyone is focused on their work—helps me stay on task and prevents me from getting distracted by my phone, which might happen if I were working at home.

What is your favorite subject or area of study, and why?
I love math! There are so many definite answers…although this isn’t always true in more complex branches. We know that 1+1=2, and we can apply these simple ideas to the real world to solve problems. For example, in the context of refugees, government policies, and job markets, math can help model and address complex issues. Reductionism—the ability to model more complex situations in a simpler way—forces the real world to be quantified into solid, hard facts.

How have your extracurricular activities influenced your academic goals or career aspirations? Are there any particular projects or achievements in your academic or extracurricular life that you’re especially proud of?
I am very proud of the Korean traditional music group that I play in and run. This experience has allowed me to connect with Korean adoptees and made me reflect on identity and how I might help people with theirs. It has deepened my focus on immigrants, adoptees, and refugees. There’s a unique “identity crisis” when settling into the US, and using music to address this is incredibly meaningful to me.
This experience has also helped me understand that solving issues isn’t just about data; it’s about addressing human needs. Balancing data with compassion for the human experience is crucial.

What are your future educational and career goals?
I plan to attend college and study economics. I am also interested in working with refugees and developing community groups in the US. The US Bureau of Economic Analysis is appealing to me because it offers opportunities to analyze refugee economic integration, evaluate policy effectiveness, and study future trends.