Pinewood Class of 2026 is making strong strides, with more than half of the students pursuing STEM majors in college.

   Zoe Detrick plans to major in biology at Northeastern University, which offers six-month biology cooperative education programs.

   Detrick discovered her interest in biology in sixth grade when she was first introduced to the subject. However, Detrick’s passion for biology extends beyond the classroom and has a deeper personal connection to her, relating to her family’s history of cancer.

   “All of my family members who have passed away from this disease have driven me to pursue a career in this subject,” Detrick said.

   Similarly, Lara Parikh is interested in medicine and will major in global health as a pre-med student at the University of Southern California. The college’s medical school emphasizes hands-on learning opportunities.

   Parikh’s love for global health came from her personal background.

   “I’ve grappled with my own personal medical issues since I was an infant,” Parikh said. “I found my community later on in life, and that helped me realize that I’m not alone.”

   Additionally, Parikh’s love for STEM was largely influenced by the classes she took at Pinewood.

   “In junior high, Ms. Tyson was one of the most engaging and encouraging teachers I’ve ever had,” Parikh said. “She sparked my passion for science even more.”

   In the future, Parikh hopes to become a physician, with her major in global health providing her a balanced understanding of how health works both in the human body and in society as a whole.

   Meanwhile, Billy Lloyd prepares to study at UCLA, with a focus on civil engineering. His intended major encompasses the design and construction of structures, ranging from transit systems to environmental engineering. This major stood out to him specifically because of its direct impact on people’s daily lives.

   Pinewood has not only contributed to Lloyd’s passion for STEM by building a strong foundation in math and physics, but has also offered guidance in choosing his major.

   “The college counseling office helped me further realize what I could do with civil engineering and how I could effectively write essays to get into schools for this major,” Lloyd said.

   Specifically, math teacher Sara Dorset has been very helpful in Lloyd’s math journey at Pinewood.

   “She really helped me kindle my love for learning math,” Lloyd said. “She taught it in a way that was so straightforward and clear, encouraging me to continue loving math, even after taking her difficult classes.”

   Finally, Lloyd encouraged those interested in pursuing engineering majors to utilize their resources, in and out of the classroom.

   “We have very good access to amazing math and science teachers, and they’re always willing to help you learn the concepts that you’ll need to know before you major in engineering,” Lloyd said.