Henry Stern

Girton and Bright Families 1693 Scholar

Hometown

Williamsburg, VA (Hampton Roads Academy)

Areas of Interest

Physics, Math, Computer Science

Why W&M

I grew up in Williamsburg. I’ve worn the green and gold at Tribe games, attended Gilbert & Sullivan productions at Phi Beta Kappa Hall, and cheered on homecoming parades along Richmond Road, so I’ve long had a sense of what William & Mary life had to offer.

As I browsed through schools, I knew I wanted to go somewhere with accessible opportunities for undergraduate research and a supportive, academically engaged student culture. From conversations with professors and alumni, it was clear that William & Mary offered both. Still, I wanted to experience something beyond Williamsburg, so it fell much lower on my list than it perhaps deserved.

Everything changed after finalist weekend. Upon stepping foot into Murray House, I was greeted by current and prospective 1693 scholars who were driven, talented, personable, and friendly in ways that were unmistakably genuine. Between running bird jokes and name tag mix-ups, the cohort had a personality that extended beyond shared academic ambition.

Throughout the weekend, I found myself in conversations ranging from research on digitally mapped neural connections in fruit flies to ultimate frisbee strategy. I was equally impressed by the research that scholars were pursuing across campus and the program’s emphasis on mentorship. Touring the ISC and browsing student organizations in Zable Stadium revealed a side of William & Mary student life that I had never fully appreciated as a local.

When Professor Cristol offered me a spot in the program, I knew I couldn’t turn down such a fantastic opportunity with such a talented, forward-thinking set of people. Looking ahead, I’m ready to leave my mark on the William & Mary community as a 1693 scholar, and I’m excited for the next four years in the Tribe.

High School Activities

• Machine Learning Research with Dr. Yan Lu at Christopher Newport University
• Independent CNN-Powered Robotics Project
• MathCounts Coach
• Chess Club President
• Varsity Tennis
• Triple Helix Robotics Team
• High School String Quartet Violinist
• Mu Alpha Theta Math Tutor
• Farmers’ Market Volunteer
• Ride Operator at Busch Gardens

Awards / Distinctions

• Hampton Roads Academy Valedictorian
• AIME Qualifier
• 3rd Place & Highest Scoring Junior, CNU High School Mathematics Competition
• Navy Dolphin Scholar
• HRA Physics Department Award (2x)
• HRA Mathematics Department Award (Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Years)
• HRA Honors Chemistry Department Award (Sophomore Year)
• Cum Laude Society
• National Merit Commended Scholar
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• Silver Medal, National French Exam