Whiz Kid Maya Brounstein

Maya Brounstein, a senior, came to in 7th grade to attend . Previously, she lived in  Rye, NY where she attended Ridge Street Elementary School and

Brounstein is a member of the GHS Volleyball Team which won the State Championship this season. In addition, Brounstein works as a mother's helper and a tennis instructor at Grand Slam Tennis.

But the real lesson in her life is about the benefits of "giving back."Brounstein has coached basketball at the Greenwich Boys and Girls club, volunteered at , and has played her clarinet for the residents of the King Street Nursing Home.

However, it what Brounstein has given back to herself that has had the most impact. Brounstein passion is about music and it is there that she doesn't miss a beat. She is in her fourth year in the popular Electronic Music class at GHS; this year in the Honors Class. She says that it is her "favorite class" and "absolutely the highlight" of her day.

The class and the music she creates have inspired her to the point where she plans on double majoring in electronic music composition and international relations in college. Music is said to be an universal language ...

1) Who is your hero?

Michelle Obama is my hero for numerous reasons. For one, she is arguably the most powerful woman in the United States. She is a symbol of honesty, good will, integrity, and woman's rights. Perhaps the thing that stands out the most to me about the first lady is her dedication to service. Community service is a critical factor in our nation's well-being. I believe that just one small good deed could change someone's life forever.

2) If there is one thing you could change about your school what would it be?

If I were to change one thing about my school, it would be the music department. Everything from the way the department is viewed, to its facilities needs to be rectified. For example, many of the other departments in the school view music as an elective, but it is so much more than that. To be part of an ensemble is like being in a family. In addition to taking electronic music for four years, I have been in the Greenwich High School Symphony Band for four years. I met some of my best friends in band, and the musical experiences and opportunities Mr. Yoon and Mr. Walker have left me with will last me a life time.

It would be incredible if other teachers and administrators were able to realize that music is more than just an elective. Additionally, for a more physical complaint, we are in desperate need of new music facilities, and thanks to the MISA project being passed my (along with many other GHS students) wishes are granted! I'm a very tall girl, 6'2" to be exact, and my legs can barley fit under the keyboards in the electronic music studio. Also, in the world of music technology, Greenwich High School's electronic music department is light-years behind. Our room needs a recording studio, Logic Pro 9, and speakers that are larger than a foot each. Getting this new equipment would change the way many students view music, and allow for more advanced compositions to be written.

3) If you had a day to yourself, what would you do?

If I had a day to myself, I would take a three-hour train (Amtrak Acela) to Washington D.C. and visit George Washington University (where I am attending college this fall) and stop at the United States Capitol building on the way. D.C. is packed with so much history, every time I go back I learn something new. 

4) If you could be a character in any novel you’ve ever read, who would you be and why?

I would be Alice from Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." To be so carefree, and to constantly be running into new people and objects would be so interesting and exciting! I loved Carroll's imagery throughout the novel, and to be able to see that kind of magical occurrence would be frighteningly awesome. (Just to be clear I would only want to be Alice from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," not "Through the Looking Glass" too.)

5) What is your favorite place in Greenwich and why?

My favorite place in Greenwich is . I love to walk around the point because it is so relaxing, and the beach is super fun to go to with friends in the summer.