Detroit Country Day Senior Wins Michigan AP Award

Ethan Li, a senior at Detroit Country Day, as well as Troy senior Neha Bokil, were named Michigan state winners of the 2011 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, a signature program of the Siemens Foundation administered by the College Board. 

The awards recognize America’s top achievers in Advanced Placement Program (AP) science and mathematics courses with a $2,000 college scholarship to one male and one female student in each state. Two national winners are also recognized, each receiving a $5,000 scholarship.

This year, 101 high school students in 50 states — including 96 seniors, four juniors and one sophomore — were recognized.

“These students lead the nation in performance on Advanced Placement math and science courses and we are proud to recognize them for their academic excellence,” said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, President of the Siemens Foundation.

“Over the last 13 years, AP exams have become the gold standard of academic rigor in schools across the world,” said College Board president Gaston Caperton. “Today the College Board and our partners at the Siemens Foundation recognize 101 students who have risen to meet this standard and exceed it. I am incredibly proud of the hard work put in by each and every one of them, and I look forward to watching them grow up to change the world.”

Of the Michigan winners:

ETHAN LI

• Total AP Courses Taken to Date:  12
• Favorite AP Class:  Physics
• Notable Accomplishments: 2011 Bronze Award winner in the Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition
• Plans for College Study:  Physics, Biology, and Electrical Engineering
• Career Aspirations:  Biomedical engineer   
• Hobbies:  Member of the Varsity Quiz Bowl team
• What sparked his interest in science & math?  Watching the “Magic School Bus” TV series

NEHA BOKIL

• Total AP Courses Taken to Date: 10
• Favorite AP Class:  Calculus BC
• Notable Accomplishments:  2011 Siemens Competition Semifinalist
• Plans for College Study:  Molecular Biology, Genetics, or Mathematics
• Career Aspirations:  Genetics researcher
• Hobbies:  Track & Field
• What sparked her interest in science & math?  An eighth grade teacher who showed me just how wonderful science can be