These 5 West Orange Teens Are Headed To The Ivy League

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

West Orange High School is proud to recognize five exceptional seniors from the Class of 2025 who have earned acceptance to some of the nation’s most prestigious Ivy League universities. These students embody the dedication, leadership, and resilience that define the WOHS community.

Robeson Bennett — Cornell University

Robeson attended St. Cloud Elementary, Edison Middle, and Roosevelt Middle Schools. He chose Cornell for its top-ranked Civil and Environmental Engineering programs and was honored as a Rawlings Presidential Research Scholar, awarded to only 45 students.

He plans to study Civil and Environmental Engineering with hopes of creating renewable energy sources and reducing environmental injustice. Robeson credits WOHS’s IMS program for sparking his passion through CAD design and for leading him to conduct NASA-related research at the New Jersey Governor's School of Engineering & Technology.

His advice: “Never let others’ experiences, concerns or boundaries define or affect your journey; You are your own person with endless potential.” He is grateful for his parents, saying, “They quite literally have dedicated their last 18 years to making sure I had what I need to be successful.”

Robeson played varsity basketball and volleyball, developing leadership skills and cherishing those experiences. A highlight was receiving the WOBOE Academic Excellence Award in September 2024, recognizing his research achievements.

He founded and leads the National Society of Black Engineers Jr. chapter at WOHS and plans to continue supporting diversity in STEM. Overcoming imposter syndrome, Robeson reminds himself that “comparison is the thief of joy.”

Charlotte Lipschutz — Cornell University

Charlotte attended St. Cloud Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School. She was drawn to Cornell for its “prestige, beautiful campus, advanced curriculum for the Environmental Science major,” and vibrant student body.

She plans to major in Environment and Sustainability, focusing on mycology and developing sustainable solutions for the changing world. Charlotte says WOHS prepared her through “high performance extracurricular activities and sports, especially the music program,” which nurtured her growth beyond academics.

Her advice: “Be ok with being uncomfortable and not let the fear of inadequacy stop you from doing the things you’re interested in.” She credits peers for “encouragement and support” that helped her persevere.

A memorable moment was performing her first large oboe solo at the winter concert, which helped her overcome performance anxiety. Charlotte plans to stay connected by “visiting friends and teachers for events like the Marching Band Invitational.”

Adarsh Jacob — Princeton University

A proud graduate of Gregory Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School, Adarsh Jacob is headed to Princeton University to study electrical and computer engineering. He was drawn to Princeton’s unique focus on undergraduates: “They dedicate most of their resources to the undergraduate program. With no law school, med school, or big graduate programs, they focus on giving undergraduate students the best possible opportunities they can.”

Adarsh’s passion for technology runs deep, and he hopes to use it to help create more advanced and efficient hardware—and possibly even software—in the future. But his journey to the Ivy League wasn’t just about academics. He reflects on a major lesson learned during high school: “Memorizing gets you past the tests and quizzes… learning makes you smart.” His advice to his younger self? “Learn how to lock in from an early age and use that focus to truly learn and therefore understand concepts.”

One of the most impactful influences on his path was his grandfather. “He played the quietest, yet most influential role in my success,” Adarsh said. “Hearing the tone of his voice and how deeply he wanted me to achieve success… that was the best motivation a person could ask for.”

His favorite memory from WOHS? Competing in the Essex County Math League at Caldwell University. “After taking the test, waiting for it to be graded, we got to spend time with friends and enjoy activities outside. That freshman year IMS Geometry class with Ms. Heller set me down the right path.”

Adarsh credits the math department—and the deep relationships he’s built with teachers—for helping shape his academic journey. “They’ve given me people to make proud and come back to check in with,” he shared. “I look forward to seeing how we all grow over the next few years.”

When asked about the biggest challenge in applying to an Ivy League school, Adarsh didn’t point to test scores or essays—but storytelling. “I can’t stress the importance my mom played in being able to convey a story with my experiences,” he said. “That helped me get the admission I was looking for.”

Ainara Bouzas — Princeton University

A lifelong West Orange resident, Ainara attended Redwood Elementary, Edison Middle, and Liberty Middle Schools. She chose Princeton after comparing it closely with Yale, saying the decision came down to where it “felt more like home.” She was drawn to Princeton’s STEM focus and undergraduate research opportunities.

Ainara plans to study Civil and Environmental Engineering with a minor in Sustainable Energy. Though unsure of her exact path post-graduation, she aspires to “become a pioneer for the environment” by designing technologies to improve sustainability.

WOHS prepared her through “a plethora of resources,” strong academics, the IMS program, and a supportive network of teachers, counselors, and peers. Her advice to younger students is to “stress less over school and not feel pressured to figure everything out.”

Her parents and counselor Mr. Casale have been key supports. Outside academics, Ainara co-founded a student-run dance crew celebrating cultural diversity through performances at community events. She also tutored extensively in math, French, and ESL.

A highlight was the Italian program’s spring trip to Italy, filled with cultural exploration and camaraderie. Ainara plans to remain engaged with the WOHS community, visiting whenever possible.

Her journey was marked by balancing a rigorous workload with extracurriculars and learning to accept failure as part of growth, recognizing that “trying your best is truly enough.”

Aidan Rodgers — Columbia University

We also congratulate Aidan Rodgers on his acceptance to Columbia University. We are proud to celebrate his achievement and look forward to watching him thrive in his post Mountaineer journey.

"These young scholars exemplify the spirit of West Orange High School—curious, hardworking, and ready to take on the challenges of the future. We are proud to send them into the world equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed." - Principal Oscar Guerrero, West Orange High School Principal

"Their achievements reflect the strength of our community and the dedication of our educators. We look forward to seeing how these talented individuals will continue to grow and contribute beyond West Orange." - West Orange School District Superintendent Hayden Moore

West Orange High School is honored to send these talented seniors into the world to pursue their dreams. Their stories inspire us all to embrace challenges, pursue passions, and remain connected to the community that shaped them.

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