ALUMNI UPDATE

SUMMER PRATT: CLASS OF 2016

Nealon Shah’s eyes scan hundreds of lines, looking for any possible spelling errors, missing parentheses or missing symbols. The screen reflects on Shah’s glasses as Shah scrolls up and down the code. Shah’s mind is constantly analyzing what has been made, trying to find anything that could keep the creation from running smoothly. This process is the most tedious part of coding, but Shah, a junior at HSE, takes it as a challenge.

In freshman year, there was an extra spot in Shah’s schedule and decided to use it to try out AP Computer Science Principles, even with no prior coding experience. Shah knew getting by in the class would not be impossible, but it was unknown how much this decision would end up meaning to Shah.

Since taking that first Computer Science class, Shah has taken two more and participates in the Computer Science Honor Society in his free time. To dive even deeper into it, Shah tutors other students in the subject a learning opportunity for both Shah and the students who need assistance.

Kari Richardson, a Computer Science (CS) teacher at HSE, hosts Shah’s tutoring sessions.

“I have come to know Nealon as a strong student and a role model to his peers at HSE,” Richardson said. “He leads with integrity, is a stellar student in the classroom, works to help others grow through tutoring and has a passion to give back to his community.”

After indulging in the subject, Shah realized that by pursuing it as a career, it would make CS a very important part of life. Shah plans to major in CS in college and wants to become a software or Artificial Intelligence engineer after that, focused on AI that solves problems and helps those in need.

“I think AI has the potential to help kids and adults in developing nations get an advanced education at little to no cost,” Shah said. “I hope we can use AI as an assist to empower humans instead of as a replacement for human intelligence.”

Shah will continue to learn more and more about CS and AI through his junior and senior year, throughout college and in the career path chosen. Shah’s goal is to make an impact in AI for years or decades to come. Story by

Aria Roberts.

After graduating from HSE in 2016, Summer Pratt attended a Java software development bootcamp based out of Carmel. Pratt was on the HSE Sceptre team for three years, two as an editor, and now is a website design and development consultant. Her experience with Student Media, learning many design skills such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, set her on the path to her successful career. She also learned the importance of taking responsibility for your work and delivering a highquality product. Pratt appreciates the preparation that Student Media gave her and the passion she found for photography and visual design. Because of this, she went on to join the workforce rather than attending college.

The company she worked for out of high school provided her with real-world experience. She was able to meet new people and grow her personal network. While her path may have looked different from many others in her graduating class, she is satisfied and happy with where she ended up.

Pratt advises anyone on a similar path that a great network is valuable to starting a company. Pratt also believes that knowing your passions is most important to live a happy life.

“I think it’s important to ask yourself what you want your life to look like,” Pratt said. “Selfawareness will make you happier.”

Story by Sydney Pinchouck and Hannah Vanlandingham and contributions from Annabella Burns.