4 ms·

Is it really a semi finals when it's 300 / 1600 applicants? Her situation is sad and unfortunate, but her circumstances shouldn't be used to advertise in her f

Is it really a semi finals when it's 300 / 1600 applicants? Her situation is sad and unfortunate, but her circumstances shouldn't be used to advertise in her favour. Her work should stand on its own.

polymatter 15y ago
Furthermore, "While she was working on her project, the family had a roof over its head. But financial reversals following a car accident last year led them this month to a Bay Shore shelter" (from http://www.newsday.com/opinion/samantha-garvey-s-amazing-grit-1.3448636 http://www.newsday.com/opinion/samantha-garvey-s-amazing-gri...) And even were this not true, I'd have questions about how she got the resources, equipment and expertise to pull this off. Its an interesting story but a lot missing for me to have any take-away from it. And feels too much like the typical throwaway feel-good story.
- abbasmehdi 15y ago
  Public and school libraries have access. She is running this race with weights tied around her ankles (compared to the average high schooler). Homeless or not, financial distress in families have very negative effects on kids her age.
- kai-zer 15y ago
  Not poor enough, or enough hardship for you I guess... Have some sympathy
  - yardie 15y ago
    If she made it this far the work does speak for itself. But part of me thinks this story will be used as propaganda for both classist and anticlassist. The ones that believe we do have a problem and this girl shouldn't be homeless (I'm in this camp). And the others that believe everything is fine, the system works, and everyone can rise out of poverty if they try hard enough.
- wisty 15y ago
  It's scary how close to the edge so many families are.
  - troll24601 15y ago
    Approximately 1/4 of Americans have no way to come up with $2,000 in 30 days. An additional 19% would need to pawn/sell possessions and/or take payday loans to raise $2,000 in 30 days. http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/Programs/ES/BPEA/2011_spring_bpea_papers/2011_spring_bpea_conference_lusardi.pdf http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/Programs/ES/BPEA/2011... (edited to use a freely available copy of the paper)
    - deleted 15y ago
      [deleted]
    - kstenerud 15y ago
      I know I couldn't come up with $2000 in 30 days (I might come close if I sold everything I own). Does that make me poor? It certainly doesn't stop me from chasing my dream.
- baddspellar 15y ago
  http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Homeless-Teen-Intel-Science-Honor-Long-Island-Samantha-Garvey.html http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Homeless-Teen-Intel-Sci... This is not the first time she has been homeless. Her family has been living on the edge of poverty for years, like many american families have been. She's doing her research at SUNY Stony Brook, a local University, which does have the lab resources. Here's are two important takeaways: 1. her parents love and support her. That's the most important thing we can give our children. 2. she doesn't feel sorry for herself, but presses on, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise. It reminds me of Liz Murray, another young woman from New York who was homeless in High School (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDQjH816L6E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDQjH816L6E) Her parents weren't as capable (they were drug addicts), but she credits their love with helping her get through.
melling 15y ago
No, it should be advertised so people stop and ask themselves "Could I be doing more with my life? What more can I do?" People who overcome obstacles and still contribute knowledge, start companies, etc should be celebrated.
ericd 15y ago
Why not? The top 20% is a big cut in the field. The Intel STS isn't trivial at all, and I'm impressed that someone with any sort of hardship made it the semifinals there.

Is it really a semi finals when it's 300 / 1600 applicants? Her situation is sad and unfortunate, but her circumstances shouldn't be used to advertise in her favour. Her work should stand on its own.

polymatter 15y ago

Furthermore, "While she was working on her project, the family had a roof over its head. But financial reversals following a car accident last year led them this month to a Bay Shore shelter" (from http://www.newsday.com/opinion/samantha-garvey-s-amazing-grit-1.3448636 http://www.newsday.com/opinion/samantha-garvey-s-amazing-gri...) And even were this not true, I'd have questions about how she got the resources, equipment and expertise to pull this off. Its an interesting story but a lot missing for me to have any take-away from it. And feels too much like the typical throwaway feel-good story.

abbasmehdi 15y ago
Public and school libraries have access. She is running this race with weights tied around her ankles (compared to the average high schooler). Homeless or not, financial distress in families have very negative effects on kids her age.
kai-zer 15y ago
Not poor enough, or enough hardship for you I guess... Have some sympathy
- yardie 15y ago
  If she made it this far the work does speak for itself. But part of me thinks this story will be used as propaganda for both classist and anticlassist. The ones that believe we do have a problem and this girl shouldn't be homeless (I'm in this camp). And the others that believe everything is fine, the system works, and everyone can rise out of poverty if they try hard enough.
wisty 15y ago
It's scary how close to the edge so many families are.
- troll24601 15y ago
  Approximately 1/4 of Americans have no way to come up with $2,000 in 30 days. An additional 19% would need to pawn/sell possessions and/or take payday loans to raise $2,000 in 30 days. http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/Programs/ES/BPEA/2011_spring_bpea_papers/2011_spring_bpea_conference_lusardi.pdf http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/Programs/ES/BPEA/2011... (edited to use a freely available copy of the paper)
  - deleted 15y ago
    [deleted]
  - kstenerud 15y ago
    I know I couldn't come up with $2000 in 30 days (I might come close if I sold everything I own). Does that make me poor? It certainly doesn't stop me from chasing my dream.
baddspellar 15y ago
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Homeless-Teen-Intel-Science-Honor-Long-Island-Samantha-Garvey.html http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Homeless-Teen-Intel-Sci... This is not the first time she has been homeless. Her family has been living on the edge of poverty for years, like many american families have been. She's doing her research at SUNY Stony Brook, a local University, which does have the lab resources. Here's are two important takeaways: 1. her parents love and support her. That's the most important thing we can give our children. 2. she doesn't feel sorry for herself, but presses on, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise. It reminds me of Liz Murray, another young woman from New York who was homeless in High School (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDQjH816L6E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDQjH816L6E) Her parents weren't as capable (they were drug addicts), but she credits their love with helping her get through.

melling 15y ago

No, it should be advertised so people stop and ask themselves "Could I be doing more with my life? What more can I do?" People who overcome obstacles and still contribute knowledge, start companies, etc should be celebrated.

ericd 15y ago

Why not? The top 20% is a big cut in the field. The Intel STS isn't trivial at all, and I'm impressed that someone with any sort of hardship made it the semifinals there.