Tag: Lexington High School

  • Lexington teen earns $90,000 scholarship at national science and math competition

    Lexington teen earns $90,000 scholarship at national science and math competition

    Jerry Xu is pictured with his project poster at the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026. / Credit: Regeneron Science Talent Search

    Lexington High School senior Jerry Xu believes that science can be approached in two ways. The first is through a textbook; the second is by making it come to life around you.

    Xu, 17, chose the second path. On March 10, he earned a $90,000 scholarship for placing fifth at the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors. Xu created an Artificial Intelligence model that compares the three-dimensional structure of proteins, the molecules that build and repair tissue in the human body. From more than 2,000 applicants, judges selected him as one of 40 finalists to present independent research at the Regeneron Science Talent Institute in Washington, D.C.

    Genetic and medical researchers compare protein structures to understand how molecules function. Small variations in shape can alter a protein’s behavior and trigger disease. Xu’s tool reduced the time needed to analyze proteins from hours to minutes by converting them into correlated numerical patterns of the same size, rather than the current methods, which compare proteins of different sizes.

    Xu’s finish in the Regeneron competition is the highlight of a high school career defined by accomplishment. Last October, he led a team that created an AI chatbot that answers questions about the Lexington High School building project. He co-founded a summer lecture series that teaches biology and math to students of all ages, tutored programming students at the KTBYTE academy in Burlington, and captained the Lexington High School Science Bowl team to a regional championship.

    “I think that as a high schooler, using [science] in my community is one of the easiest and most impactful ways for me to apply my knowledge,” Xu said. “I’m really grateful that the town of Lexington is willing to accept me and try to guide me towards designing these products that are going to help the community.”

    ​Xu devoted the past year to researching, developing and coding his model through the MIT PRIMES Program, a year-long curriculum that offers research resources to high school students in the Boston area under the mentorship of Dr. Gil Alterovitz and Dr. Shaojun Pei, both of Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

    “One thing that really struck me is [Jerry’s] passion, his ability to think about things deeply and think about how to explore things at a deep level,” Alterovitz said. 

    Xu hopes researchers and scientists will use his tool to improve protein genetic analysis. He plans to continue working on the model after the competition.

    “There’s a couple of ideas that I have for my project. One of them is to expand the scale of my model,” he said. “There’s a lot of different directions that I want to explore with this project before I head off to college.”

    Xu plans to use the $90,000 scholarship toward college. He’s considering the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Yale University, and other schools. Before he makes his decision, Xu will prepare for the National Science Bowl in April and his approaching high school graduation. 

    This story was written by a journalism student in BU’s Newsroom program, a partnership between the university, The Lexington Observer and other news organizations in the Boston area.

  • Lexington Women’s Track and Field team eyes nationals

    Lexington Women’s Track and Field team eyes nationals

    Lexington Girls Indoor Track and Field Division 1 Champions / Photo Credit: Stephen Cho

    The Lexington High School women’s track and field team won its second straight Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 1 indoor championship last week, more than doubling the score of second-place Central Catholic, and will send 26 athletes to the New Balance National Indoor Meet in Boston running tomorrow through Sunday.

    The women tore through the Middlesex League regular season undefeated at 5-0, then carried that momentum into the championship meet with five athletes placing first in individual and relay events.

    But as the winter season comes to a close, the Minutemen’s women turn their attention to the upcoming national meet, where Lexington’s standout seniors and emerging young athletes are preparing to compete against the best high schoolers in the nation.

    “We are in a unique period of time with this group of athletes, where almost everyone on the team is incredibly talented,” said Lexington track and field head coach Rebecca Trachsel. “The combination of their strength as athletes and their mental strength is like nothing I’ve ever experienced to date.”

    Of the 26 women preparing to represent Lexington over the next four days, none stand out more than senior thrower Ainsley Cuthbertson, who is ranked No. 1 in the country in the 20-pound weight throw and holds the Massachusetts state record in shot put.

    The senior captain’s dominance in throwing events belies her reserved demeanor. Often emitting no more than a small grunt as she propels projectiles farther than any high school woman in the country, Cuthbertson’s multiple school, state and national records speak to her dedication to the sport.

    “She came in freshman year, very driven, excited to learn and said to [Lexington throwing coach] Coach [James] Hall, ‘I will do anything it takes to be the best in the country,’” said Trachsel. “She works throughout the summer. She works in the fall. It’s because of that … she has gotten to the point that she’s at now.”

    The senior’s work ethic has propelled her from not qualifying for nationals as a freshman to her final indoor season, where she hopes to win the national championship.

    “This year has been a pretty huge year for me on the national scale, which has been really cool,” Cuthbertson said. “My goal is to win the weight throw at both national meets.”

    On the track, members of the Lexington team are transitioning from the team-first mentality of the regular season to a more individual mentality as they prepare for nationals.

    “The bigger meets we thought about more as a team, but this is more individual, picturing your own race,” said sophomore long-distance runner Jane Conrad. “Trying to do it for yourself and trying to prove to yourself what you can do.”

    For Conrad, proving herself means taking on the nation’s best in the 5,000-meter event, a race she has only run once during the indoor season. She finished fourth overall and broke the school record at the USA Track & Field New England Indoor Track & Field Championship on Feb. 22.

    “I just want to work on racing a bunch of people at the national level,” she said. “I’ve only run it once on the track, and I just want to work on racing with a bunch of people around me.”

    For fellow sophomore Amelia Whorton, the upcoming meet is another chance to succeed in multiple events, a role she has quickly earned in her two years at Lexington. Whorton won first place in the 1,000-meter, 1-mile, and 4×800 relay events at the division championship and already holds school records in the 600-meter, 800-meter, 1,000-meter, and one-mile events.

    “She will step up to any opportunity, both individually and on a relay, if it gives her an opportunity to display what she’s capable of,” Trachsel said. “I think there’s a part of her that loves the challenge of seeing what she’s capable of every time she does it.”

    Whether it’s Cuthbertson in the throwing circle or Conrad and Whorton on the track, Lexington’s women aspire to ride the team’s momentum and make a mark on the biggest stage of the season.

    This story was written by a journalism student in BU’s Newsroom program, a partnership between the university, The Lexington Observer and other news organizations in the Boston area.

  • Lexington High School Chamber Orchestra wins National Championship 

    The results of the 2025 National Orchestra Cup were being announced. The runner-up was Honolulu’s Iolani School, whose performance was so polished it had left the members of the Lexington High School Chamber Orchestra deeply impressed and inspired.

    “Wait…then who got first?” recounted Rachel Jayson, who directs the Lexington Chamber Orchestra.

    Moments later, the answer came: Lexington High School.

    The students erupted—screaming, hugging, overwhelmed by the realization that they were national champions. It was the group’s first-ever appearance at the Orchestra Cup, held March 1 at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York City—and they had just won it. 

    “It was this explosion of joy,” Jayson recalled, laughing. “They knew they’d done something special. And to be recognized like that? It was incredible.”

    Out of seven elite ensembles from across the country, Lexington’s 29-member orchestra stood out—winning not only the top prize, but also awards for best section (violas) and most original selection for “Kendrick,” a world premiere by composer Sxip Shirey.

    “I think all of us were just stunned,” said Jayson, who has taught music at Lexington High School for 16 years. “We knew we had taken some artistic risks, and all of the pieces were really, really ambitious.”

    This was Lexington’s first appearance at the Orchestra Cup, an invite-only event known for its high standards and artistic freedom. Jayson was approached at the 2024 National Orchestra Festival with an invitation to participate.

    Unlike other competitions with strict rules on repertoire, this one simply gave ensembles 25 minutes to perform whatever they wanted. That flexibility afforded Jayson the opportunity to build a creative and emotionally rich program of four very different pieces—a program that pushed boundaries and embraced originality. 

    One of those pieces was “Lexington Reel,” a bluegrass-inspired tune written by Lexington High alum Andy Reiner to celebrate the town’s 250th anniversary. The orchestra performed it without a conductor—a bold move that required deep trust and communication. 

    “That opening moment really set the tone,” Jayson said. “It was their show from the first note—I just walked offstage and let them take it.”

    Another standout was “Habari Gani” by Quenton Blache, which the students performed entirely from memory—a rare feat for any orchestra, let alone a high school one. 

    Jayson said being off-book gave students a new kind of freedom, with the chance to look up, connect and respond to one another while playing. It was something that set this group’s program apart, and Jayson said it completely transformed the way they played.

    “I loved the feeling of playing ‘Habari Gani’ during the competition,” said Deanna Ma, a violinist. “It was unlike anything I’ve experienced anywhere else.”

    Then there was “Kendrick,” the world premiere that brought home the originality award. 

    Composed by Sxip Shirey, the piece was originally inspired by rapper Kendrick Lamar. Shirey first drafted the work five years ago after hearing Lamar’s music. Years later, Jayson commissioned Shirey to write new works for the Lexington orchestra—and “Kendrick” became one of three original pieces he composed for the ensemble.

    “That piece demanded everything from them: rhythm, emotion, presence,” Jayson said. “It was a full-body experience.”

    Preparation for the Cup went far beyond regular rehearsals. While in New York, the orchestra recorded at the DiMenna Center, had a workshop with Tanya Chanphanitpornkit of the New York Youth Symphony, and squeezed in extra run-throughs in a professional recording studio. 

    But in between all of the hard work, the group also found moments to just have fun together.

    “I remember us, the day before the competition, coming together during rehearsal and vibing to ‘Swag Surfin’,” said Yaotong Zhang, a violinist.

    Jayson said these “silly, but joyful” moments really brought the group together.

    For the students, the experience of performing on a national stage brought a mix of nerves and adrenaline.

    “I was both nervous and excited because this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to perform in such a big space,” said violinist Kyuri Lee. “I was just so happy I could be there.”

    The massive Grand Champion trophy will live at Lexington High School for the year, and the students also brought back a second, permanent trophy to keep.

    Lee said the group’s strength comes from mutual trust: Each member relies on others to do their part and knows they’ll be supported, even when they’re not always in direct view of one another.

    “The Chamber Orchestra really feels like a family because each person is important to the cohesiveness of our teamwork,” said Sophia Guo, another violinist.

    Zhang also echoed this, saying that everyone could be themselves “without worrying about other people judging because they accept me as a part of the orchestra.”

    Students like Atticus Oliver voiced that the team felt like family and that success is only “meaningful with those to celebrate with…Plus, orchestra’s a lot more fun when everyone knows each other!”

    This story is part of a partnership between the Lexington Observer and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • LPS responds to Trump’s executive order on DEI in public schools

    Lexington school leaders are reaffirming their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion after the White House issued an executive order that attempts to eliminate DEI efforts from public education.

    On Jan. 29, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schools,” calling for a shift toward “patriotic education” and condemning “anti-American ideologies” in schools. 

    The order has reignited debates on concepts such as critical race theory and gender identity, which it labels as “radical ideologies” that weaken family authority and national unity. It further emphasizes expanding parental control over educational content.

    Lexington High School quad / Credit: Vikram Anantha

    Schools receiving federal funding for K-12 education must follow all laws that “prohibit discrimination in various contexts and protect parental rights,” the order states.

    The executive order has sparked concerns about support for marginalized groups, particularly LGBTQIA+ students and educators.

    In response, Lexington Public Schools issued a letter Feb. 4, reaffirming its commitment to DEI. Signed by Superintendent Julie L. Hackett and all five members of the Lexington School Committee, the letter expresses concern about the executive order’s potential impact on vulnerable communities while underscoring the district’s dedication to providing a safe, supportive environment for all students.

    “Doing the right thing requires daily practice,” the letter reads. “We believe it is our obligation to serve and care for others in our community and stand up for just causes, even when it might be difficult to do so.”

    Lexington has consistently prioritized creating a school culture where students, regardless of their race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or background, feel supported.

    About 77 percent of Lexington voters supported Democrat Kamala Harris in November; only 18 percent voted for Republican Trump. 

    The school district has long been at the forefront of DEI efforts, launching several initiatives since 2018. These include installing all-gender restrooms in all schools, adopting inclusive classroom materials for LGBTQIA+ communities, integrating diverse cultural content in classrooms, and hosting forums on racial justice.

    Trump’s order states that schools have been blocking parental oversight and that students are being forced to accept certain ideologies without question or critical examination.

    It also states that such learning environments encourage young people to question their own identities and whether they were born in the wrong body, often leading them to view their parents and the world around them as “enemies to be blamed.”

    On the same day the order was announced, nearly 100 Lexington students and staff participated in a professional learning experience aimed at creating a secondary DEI curriculum.

    “For those who are feeling frightened and scared right now, please know that we stand with you,” Lexington Public Schools’ letter reads. “In Lexington, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts have been the cornerstone of our LPS strategic plan and vision.”

    In addition to the school district’s response, community members have taken steps to push for sustained DEI efforts at the municipal level.

    Lexington’s chief equity officer position has remained vacant since the resignation of the most recent person to hold the role, raising concerns among community members about the town’s commitment to DEI. 

    On Jan. 24, 10 facilitators of the Dismantling Racism in Our Town (DRIOT) program addressed a letter to the Lexington Town Manager and Select Board, urging them to prioritize filling the vacant chief equity officer position and elevating it to a senior-level role.

    “We are asking to understand what is going on with the position,” said Lisa Goodman, a DRIOT facilitator.

    The job opening for chief equity officer has not yet been posted, Goodman said, and the group has received no response from the town manager.

    “And that is a concern for us,” Goodman said. 

    This story is part of a partnership between the Lexington Observer and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Lexington schools recognize more holidays

    Two years ago, fifth-grader Nikhil Shah stood before the Lexington School Committee, urging administrators to recognize Indian holidays like Diwali. His words sparked something bigger. 

    The following year, educators, religious leaders, PTO members and community representatives — led by School Committee member Kathleen Lenihan — came together to discuss adding Lunar New Year, Diwali and Eid to the school calendar.

    This year that idea became a reality.

    For the first time, the district included these holidays on the school calendar, giving students a break to celebrate their cultures. For many families, it was a long-awaited win.

    “I was really excited because I never expected Lunar New Year to be recognized as a federal holiday,” said Avia Liao, a sophomore at Lexington High School. 

    Lunar New Year, widely celebrated across East and Southeast Asian cultures, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is often a time for family gatherings, feasts and traditions.

    Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu holiday symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and reflection.

    Lexington, MA

    Genevieve Wang and her daughter Zoe at the CALex Lunar New Year celebration

    The district’s recognition of these holidays reflects its diverse and growing community. Lexington has the highest percentage of Asian residents in Massachusetts, with 33% identifying as Asian, according to U.S. Census data. It’s even higher in Lexington’s public schools, where nearly 50% of students identify as Asian, according to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

    “It was especially nice because I feel like Lunar New Year celebrations are a lot like Christmas,” Liao said. “The main exciting stuff happens the night before, and the day after is just a hangover day.”

    Celebrating with family—without worrying about school the next day—was a refreshing change for Liao. 

    Although she noted that some students may not fully understand the significance of the holiday, she believes the recognition has opened up opportunities for cultural awareness among her peers.

    Beyond the day off, the new school policy is seen as a step toward broadening cultural education.

    Mamata Banerjee, a support educator for special education students in Lexington Public Schools, described these holidays as an “eye-opening experience.”

    “The kids were excited to have a long weekend and wanted to invite friends from all backgrounds to celebrate Diwali together… making diyas, lighting them and sharing sweets,” Banjeree said. “It’s all about bringing everyone closer through celebration.”

    She emphasized that these holidays can help children grow up to be more inclusive and open-minded, embracing one another’s cultures and religions through shared experiences of joy and food.

    Robin Strizhak, president of the Lexington Education Association, said adding these holidays to the school calendar is a step in the right direction but only a starting point for true cultural inclusion.

    “Kids need to know that their values and cultural ethos are just as important and ‘worthy’ as the Christian-Judaic observances are,” Strizhak said.

    Few employers recognize these holidays, though, so some families had to arrange for child care or activities for their children.

    Genevieve Wang, a Lexington parent of a second-grader, said her family typically celebrates Lunar New Year with a family dinner on the weekend.

    “My husband and I don’t get the day off, so on Lunar New Year my daughter attended a sewing camp in Wellesley,” Wang said. “Most camps we’ve seen cost around $150 to $200 and fill up fast. We’ve tried everything — painting, sewing, STEM, improv…”

    While Wang does not expect employers to recognize these holidays, she supports the school district’s decision to acknowledge them for students. 

    Strizhak said she recognized holidays should reflect the community’s needs.

    “If a religious or cultural holiday leads to significant absenteeism, then yes, it makes sense for it to be recognized,” Strizhak said. “The holidays observed should align with the demographics of the community and workplace.”

    Diya Nigam, a sophomore at Lexington High School and youth chair of the Indian Americans of Lexington’s education committee, said having these holidays off acknowledges the diverse backgrounds of the student body and ensures that students do not have to choose between their education and their cultural or religious celebrations.

    “Not having Diwali off meant I couldn’t spend the day with my family or fully enjoy the festival,” Nigam said. “Imagine having to go to school on Christmas Day.”

    Nigam’s family chose to live in Lexington for its diverse and culturally welcoming environment. She believes that recognizing these holidays brings awareness to a new level.

    “Now, every household in Lexington knows about Diwali, Eid and Lunar New Year,” she said.

    Although Nigam appreciates the inclusive step, she thinks Lexington can go further by incorporating more cultural studies into the school curriculum.

    “We have so many lived experiences in our community,” Nigam said. “We should invite speakers from different communities into classrooms to share their stories.”