Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Inspiring: Homeless LI Student Named Intel Science Semi-Finalist
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 12, 2012
Modified Jan 13, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 12, 2012
Modified Jan 13, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Newsday has the most aww- and awe-worthy story of the day: A feature on Brentwood High School senior Samantha Garvey who is one of 300 semi-finalists for the annual Intel Science Talent Search. Only Garvey happens to be living in a homeless shelter. She told the paper, "I want better, so that's why I do well in school."
Garvey, whose project is a 2 1/2 marine-life study, and her father said that they were first homeless when she was little: "She switched elementary schools three times in a single year. The Garveys' circumstances eventually improved enough for them to live in the same home for several years. But her parents, Leo and Olga, missed work and lost income after a car accident last February. On New Year's Day, behind on their rent, they were forced out of their house and spent a week in a hotel before going to the shelter."
The teen, who has a 3.9 average, also studies violin, and hopes to go to Yale or Brown, says, "The house we were living in had a dog, a cat, turtles. Then one day someone turns around and says, 'You have to leave.' What are you going to do with your animals? Yourself?" The dog is at a pound and she believes it will probably be euthanized (the cat and turtles are with family and friends). Check out this video of Garvey:
In an interview with WCBS 880, Garvey added that the contest's recognition "motivates me to do better. I do well and I pursue my passion because it’s what I have and it’s a way out, you know, and it’ll lead to better things." And her dad told Newsday, "I'm always bragging about her. She sets her mind to something and she goes for it. She amazes me all of the time."
Tagged
homeless
inspiring
intel science talent search
long island
samantha garvey
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
Sukken Wong, 62, allegedly stabbed her nonverbal son, Byran Wong, 25, to death.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 8:01 a.m. ET
Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress
A primer on the races for governor, attorney general and the congressional districts that could help determine control of the U.S. House.
By
Walter Wuthmann
,
Jon Campbell
and
Brigid Bergin
News
Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress
A primer on the races for governor, attorney general and the congressional districts that could help determine control of the U.S. House.
By
Walter Wuthmann
,
Jon Campbell
and
Brigid Bergin
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
By
Ryan Kost
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .