Angelica Sze: Aspiring Pediatrician Also Helps Her Teammates On The Basketball Court
Our NY1/Health Plus Scholar Athlete this week has aspirations to be a pediatrician. In the following report, NY1's Michelle Yu takes a look at the busy teenage life of Brooklyn Tech's Angelica Sze.
JANUARY 6TH, 2006

Attending a specialized high school is already a big enough burden for a teenager to carry. However, for Angelica Sze, studying at Brooklyn Technical High School is just the icing on the cake in her daily workload.

The senior is involved in a range of various activities that include captaining the school's basketball team and taking part in medical research projects.

“My parents usually tell me that if I want to be a doctor I have to focus more,” she says. “I really don't have it all organized, but I just have a plan in my mind of what I need to do and I just tend to do that.”

Sze’s organizational skills have helped her compile a 94 grade point average, and she's taking Advance Placement courses that include chemistry and physics.

Her teachers praise the 17-year-old and believe her future is quite bright.

“She helps other students that are having problems in class. I know that math and science are her strong points, and she definitely helps other students who are having troubles in those areas,” says Scott Matthews, Sze’s math teacher.

Being a leader is not just something that Angelica likes doing. She feels that her present leadership responsibilities will only help her in the future that she wants in the medicine profession.

She hopes to become a pediatrician one day, where she can help and lead children by example.

“Since I want to become a doctor, you have to also assume responsibility, so this just prepares you for the next step,” she says.

“She's a quiet leader. She leads with her actions,” says Concetta Licitra, Brooklyn Tech’s girls basketball coach. “Everybody definitely looks up to her and when she gets going, everybody else gets going as well. She plays with a lot of tenacity, and it catches on with everybody else. It's very infectious.”

When Angelica is not hitting the books and is off the court, she dedicates her time volunteering at a community health center where she gets to tutor children and assist physicians with medical research.

“Every time after I volunteer I see the kids and they say, ‘Bye’ and they call me ‘big sister’ in Chinese, so it makes me feel good. It makes me want to come back,” says Sze. “Even though it’s not the same children [every time], it’s different kids, I’m still helping out, so that’s a good feeling.”

According to her peers, her compassion and desire to lend a helping hand are some of the teenager's best traits.

“She's always motivating us. She’s always pushing us to do our best,” says teammate Gina Mule. “Whenever we are down she is raising our spirits. I love her - she's just amazing.”

The senior has her sights on attending the Sophie B. Davis School of Biomedical Education after she graduates. And with such poise and commitment both and on and off the court, Angelica Sze is this week's NY1/Health Plus Scholar Athlete of the Week.

The Health Plus/New York 1 Scholar Athlete program celebrates student athletes who successfully combine academics with athletics, and also find time for community service. The program is a joint effort between the New York City Department of Education and Time Warner's 21st Century Scholars program, and is open to any senior attending a New York City public high school. Selected students receive a $2,000 scholarship to the school they choose to attend in the fall.

Originally published January 6, 2006.