Erik Gilroy
Myself Third Spirit of New York 2002 Scholarship Winner
John Bowne High School
Queens College
"Erik Gilroy came to John Bowne as a junior after two years at a select NYC science high school. Taking a heavy program and some of the most competitive courses, he has demonstrated that he can be an outstanding student.… Erik has taken advantage of our College Now Program with Queens College. He has worked with peer counselors at SPARK and played in the school orchestra. Erik has been breakdancing for four years. Because he has been a model student, Erik has been selected to act as a tutor/mentor to ninth graders though GEAR UP [Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program]. He has also volunteered at the Queens Wildlife Center. Erik plans to become a medical doctor."
—Joan Esterces, College Counselor
Work, Volunteer, and Extra-Curricular Activities
- GEAR UP
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- Breakdancing Club
- Rawkus Records
Excerpts from Erik's Essay
My community has given me everything I know, thanks to teachers, parents and many other influential people. Through my involvement in various programs and clubs, I have begun my civic responsibility of giving back to the community by helping others through instruction.
Breakdancing took me around New York, from sessions in apartment buildings to shows at universities. It taught me discipline and thus helped me in my academic growth. I was at a competition in the Bronx one night when I first thought of starting an instructional breakdancing club at school.… The club still stands today with over fifty members.…
I agree with what is written in my AP Biology textbook, that "Biophilia is manifest in every child." Growing up, I have had many pets, from a snake to a cat and several species in between. When I sought out a place to volunteer, I was naturally attracted to the zoo. As a guide, I would tell groups little tidbits about various animals and softly stress the importance of conservation in the process. I would also park my "education station" cart in front of an exhibit and show the visitors an exclusive fur or bear claw. The expression on a child's face when holding a bear's tooth for the first time is priceless. I would tell these kids about our environment and how we can help.
The environment is also part of my community. Volunteering at the Queens zoo helped me give back to the community by allowing me to inform others about the importance of preserving our wildlife.
GEAR UP in school has been the most direct pathway for me to give back to my community. In the program, I am a tutor as well as a mentor for ninth graders. When I was struggling in mathematics, I attended an after school tutoring class. In GEAR UP, I can pass on what was given to me by reversing my role; I was a student, but have become a teacher; I was helped by my community, and now help others in my community. The Gear UP program provided a medium for me to help others academically and in the process, to give back to my community.…
