Senate Resolution No. 1098

BY: Senator STAVISKY

WELCOMING the students, teachers and
administrators of the Bronx High School of Science
to the Legislative Chambers in Albany, New York on
May 28, 2025, and recognizing the school's historic
contributions to education, science, and civic
leadership

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to welcome and
honor those institutions within the State of New York that have made
profound and enduring contributions to the advancement of education,
civic engagement, and public service; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
welcome the students, teachers and administrators of the Bronx High
School of Science to the Legislative Chambers in Albany, New York on
Wednesday, May 28, 2025; and

WHEREAS, The Bronx High School of Science was founded in 1938 by
resolution of the Department of Education of the City of New York, with
Dr. Morris Meister serving as its first principal; the school initially
occupied a Gothic building at Creston Avenue and 184th Street,
previously home to Walton High School and DeWitt Clinton High School;
and

WHEREAS, Since its inception with 150 ninth grade and 250 tenth
grade students, Bronx Science has grown into one of the most
distinguished and respected high schools in the world; in 1946, under
the determined leadership of Dr. Meister and the Parents' Association,
the school became co-educational; and

WHEREAS, The dream of a permanent, modern home for Bronx Science was
realized on March 3, 1959, when students and faculty entered a newly
constructed facility equipped with cutting-edge laboratories and
academic resources; in a testament to the school's spirit, students
themselves carried library books from the old building to the new; and

WHEREAS, The Bronx High School of Science, frequently cited as the
most renowned high school in America, attracts an intellectually gifted
student body that is culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse;
known as Scienceites, these students are supported by a deeply committed
Parents' Association, a generous and engaged Alumni Foundation, and a
faculty of exceptional educators who are masters of their craft; and

WHEREAS, The school's mission is reflected not only in its rigorous
academic programs but in its community spirit and legacy of
extraordinary leadership, including: Dr. Morris Meister (1938-1958), Dr.
Alexander Taffel (1958-1978), Mr. Milton Kopelman (1978-1990), Mr.
Vincent Galasso (1990-1994, 2001), Mr. Stanley Blumenstein '63
(1994-2000), Mr. William Stark (Interim Acting, 2000-2001), Ms. Valerie
Reidy (2001-2013), Dr. Jean Donahue '77 (2013-2020), and Ms. Rachel
Hoyle (2020-present); and

WHEREAS, Bronx Science boasts a globally renowned alumni network
that includes nine Nobel Prize winners-more than any other secondary
school in the world-alongside nine Pulitzer Prize winners, over 200
Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars, and leaders across every major
field of human endeavor; and

WHEREAS, Distinguished alumni include: Mark Boal '91, Academy
Award-winning screenwriter; Wanda Austin '71, aerospace engineer and
national science leader; Jon Cryer '83, actor and producer; Ann Lewnes
'79, CMO of Adobe; Millard "Mickey" Drexler '62, CEO of J. Crew; Min
Jin Lee '86, acclaimed novelist; Rose Marie Bravo '69, former CEO of
Burberry; Joseph Greenaway '74, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge; George
Yancopoulos '76, co-founder and CSO of Regeneron; and Dava Sobel '64,
best-selling science author; and

WHEREAS, The school's impact is particularly felt in New York City
institutions such as The New York Times, Columbia University, the New
York Public Library, and city planning and education leadership-through
alumni like Joseph Lelyveld, Michael Sovern, Anthony Marx, Daniel
Libeskind, Harold O. Levy, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Majora Carter;
and

WHEREAS, The Bronx High School of Science continues to lead in
innovation through its IDEAS Initiative, which nurtures students to
Imagine, Discover, Engineer, and Apply Solutions to tomorrow's
challenges; through its Launch Labs and hands-on experiential learning,
this initiative empowers students to design and implement real-world
solutions to make the world a better place; and

WHEREAS, Complementing its expanded curriculum in Robotics,
Engineering, and Computer Science, as well as newly renovated
state-of-the-art facilities, Bronx Science is deepening its commitment
to experiential education through the growth of the IDEAS Initiative,
ensuring students are equipped with the skills and creativity required
for the challenges of an increasingly complex and interconnected world;
and

WHEREAS, As it continues into the 21st century, Bronx Science
remains at the forefront of secondary education, preparing new
generations of students to lead in the sciences, humanities, and public
service with integrity, intellect, and innovation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
welcome the students, teachers and administrators of the Bronx High
School of Science to the Legislative Chambers on May 28, 2025, and to
commend the school for its extraordinary legacy of academic excellence,
civic responsibility, and global impact; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Bronx High School of Science.