Sabina’s Blog by Sabina Tulendinova

Hi everyone! My name is Sabina Tulendinova, and I’m a sophomore at William Tennent High School. I’m someone who loves staying busy and challenging myself, whether it’s in academics, the arts, or my extracurriculars. At school, I’m part of NHS, SNHS, and Mu Alpha Theta, where I serve as the tutoring coordinator. I also play first violin in the orchestra and am working my way up to concertmaster - something I’ve been dreaming of for years. Beyond that, I’m the media manager for the Eastern European Club, a member of Mathletes and Yearbook club, and I volunteer with the “Multilingual Volunteers” group.

If my friends had to describe me, they’d probably say I’m caring, creative, and incredibly organized. I love expressing myself through dance at React Dance Studio, where I do street jazz, and through painting and drawing, which helps me unwind and be imaginative. Baking is another passion of mine, and I spend a lot of time helping my mom at her bakery. We’re Kazakh, and she sells amazing Russian and Central Asian foods, so I’ve grown up surrounded by the flavors and traditions of our culture. It’s a special way for me to stay connected to my roots while sharing them with others. ​

​I joined TRIP because I’m passionate about science, math, and research. I’ve always been curious about how things work, and this program feels like the perfect opportunity to explore those interests while preparing for a future career in the medical field. The first day was such a mix of excitement and nerves, but everyone I met made me feel at home. The TAs were incredibly kind and approachable, always ready to help when I had questions. Dr. Purdy and Dr. Austria were both so patient and supportive - Dr. Purdy helped me navigate some tricky math in the packets, and Dr. Austria made sure we were comfortable with preparing food for the flies. I already feel like this is going to be an amazing experience, and I’m so excited to dive deeper into my research and grow alongside such a talented group of people!

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