Carson Billingsley
Whether it is cracking jokes or debating on foreign politics, senior Carson Billingsley can be found making an impact on the Mira Costa community.
Billingsley has been a part of Model United Nations, Costa musicals, Comedy Sportz and Improv Club over his years at Costa. He also co-founded the Storytelling Club, volunteers with the Habitat for Humanity club and organizes community service events at the Manhattan Beach Community Church.
“It’s an honor to be nominated, and it means that my accomplishments at Mira Costa are recognized,” Billingsley said. “I’m proud of the way I have excelled in Model UN and the way I have mentored young students.”
Billingsley continues to help his peers in order to help them succeed and believes he has brought different groups of students together at Costa because of his diverse interests. Next year, Billingsley plans to major in bioengineering.
“I feel grateful, and it was nice to know that my hard work was recognized,” Billingsley said. “I think I was nominated because of the positive contributions I’ve made in my classes and the way I’ve represented Mira Costa in my activities.”
Nisha Chatwani
Empowering female students across campus, senior Nisha Chatwani encourages social inclusion and female participation in computer science and STEM.
Chatwani is involved in the Girls Only Coding Club, Girls Advancing in Leadership in Stem and Club Harmony.
“I am honored and humbled to be nominated,” Chatwani said. “I am happy to see that Mira Costa has chosen to highlight the importance of tolerance and social inclusion.”
Chatwani started Club Harmony her sophomore year at Costa in order to raise awareness about different backgrounds, cultures, identities, religions and abilities. As the president of the Girls Only Coding Club, she encourages female students to enroll in computer science classes. In the fall, Chatwani will attend the University of Southern California and will major in computer science.
“I think each of my classmates contributes something special to the class of 2019,” Chatwani said. “Perhaps my nomination was in part due to the friendships and connections I have made over the last four years, [which is] a constant source of inspiration.”
Kevin Chen
Senior Kevin Chen found a rhythm between a rigorous academic schedule and impressive musical abilities, earning him a nomination for Student of the Year.
Chen is the concertmaster for Mira Costa’s Orchestras and the Palos Verdes Regional Symphony Orchestra, in addition to being a concert violin soloist.
“I wouldn’t say I did anything really special other than pursuing what interests me and devoting all my time to those activities,” Chen said. “I never went out of my way to appear as someone I wasn’t to influence how I’m viewed in the eyes of others.”
Chen also has a love for science as the co-president of Science Olympiad and as an independent medical researcher. He has participated in the Garcia Summer Research Program, which gave him the opportunity to research how biomaterials can treat periodontitis, a common gum disease. In the fall, Chen will attend Stanford University and pursue a major in STEM.
“[The nomination is] a super gratifying feeling and the biggest honor I’ve had in my time at Costa,” Chen said. “It’s symbolic of all the hard work I’ve put in throughout these last four years both inside and outside of school.”
Bryce Verket
Senior Bryce Verket’s talents in music, biotechnology and community service have earned him a nomination for Student of the Year.
Verket has been a member of Biotech since his sophomore year. Verket is also a member of Costa’s jazz band in which he plays the alto saxophone. After volunteering for a local community groups in Hawthorne, Verket has also pursued his passion for community service as an Eagle Scout.
“My project was going over to a children’s facility in Hawthorne and building these four wooden raised beds that kids could plant vegetables on,” Verket said. “I learned about the facility through my brother when he was earning his Eagle Scout award.”
Verket feels lucky to be nominated, and although not many people know him, he believes that he has made an impact at Costa, Verket said.
“I think I am nominated for this award because I try my best to make the people around me happier and enthusiastic,” Verket said. “I always try to make sure that they aren’t setting too low of a bar for themselves, and I always want to make sure I’m there for them.”
Denzil Tintut
Senior Dezil Tintut is marching to the beat of his own drum during halftime at football games and in different community service groups across the South bay.
Tintut has been a member of the Marching Band for all four years at Costa and plays percussion. He is also a member of the Global Teen Force, an organization that creates care packages for homeless shelters. He also volunteers with the Charity Water club, in which he raises money for a charity that builds wells in Africa.
“I learned about the clubs through my friends,” Tintut said. “Some of my friends were running these clubs, and I thought they were interesting so I decided to join.”
Tintut feels that his relationships with his teachers helped him earn the nomination for Student of the Year, and that he has not just been nominated for his grades but for what he has done around campus. In the fall, Tintut will attend Cooper Union and major in Civil Engineering.
“It makes me happy that teachers recognized me, and I wasn’t really expecting [to be nominated],” Tintut said. “I really like talking to my teachers, and I don’t think that [the award] is based on academics, but it is also about what you do in the classroom.”
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