Westlake High School's George Engineers Her Future

THORNWOOD, N.Y. – Jasmine George said her experiences both inside and out of Westlake High School's walls prepared her for her upcoming freshman year of college this fall.  The Westlake Class of 2012 salutatorian hopes to one day become a chemical engineer due to a life-changing experience last summer.

“My whole trip to India really inspired me to go into the chemical engineering field,” George said. 

George traveled to India last summer to work with school children and said she was made aware of a dangerous pesticide, Endosulfan that is very popular in the country. The pesticide is currently banned in 84 countries, including the United States, and exposure to the chemical can lead to health issues such as nausea, vomiting and seizures, according to the Pesticide Action Network of America.  The trip inspired George to educate her fellow classmates in America on the dangerous chemical and to study chemical engineering in college. This fall, George will attend Drexel University on a nearly full scholarship. 

Currently, George is working for Dolph Rotfield Engineering in Tarrytown through Westlake’s senior internship program.  George said she has gained valuable experience to prepare her for college.

“It’s been really good to get a different feel for the different areas of engineering,” George said.

In addition to her senior internship, George is president of the English honor society, co-president of the Spanish and math honor societies and works on the school newspaper. 

George said she is excited for the independence that comes with being a college student.

“I’m really looking forward to the independence and responsibility of making a lot of my own choices,” George said.  “And possibly getting out of my comfort zone a little bit.”

As for comfort zone, George said she is a little anxious for her salutatorian address at Westlake’s graduation on Friday. 

“I’m a bit nervous but I’m excited at the same time,” George said.  “I think it will all go away once I get up there and then it will just flow.”

 

Click here to follow Daily Voice Mount Pleasant and receive free news updates.