An Interview with Max Siegel, John Jay Valedictorian

John Jay High School valedictorian Max Siegel almost didn't make it to graduation. After 20 hours of surgery and a grueling two-week hospital stay, he wasn't sure until just days before the ceremony that he'd march across the stage.

But Siegel—who remembers being told by a first grade teacher that good enough is not good enough—had the will and found a way.

"I was so glad to be there—it was a proud moment. I tried not to drone on, but to convey some of the lessons that I thought were livable," he said of his graduation speech, which was videotaped in the event he couldn't attend. "But to be there and interact with audience was special."

You can read the full text of his speech on Patch.

The fact that he endured this tough surgery, which corrected an epileptic disorder he's lived with since he was a child, is not what is impressive about Siegel. His quiet intelligence, observant nature and thoughtful analysis of matters on a global scale and in his hometown are what shine through, even after a brief encounter with him.

His accomplishments while at John Jay include 15 academic awards and recognitions, leadership positions in school activities including serving as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, speaker of the campus congress, and co-president of both the debate and mock trial teams. He was also selected to serve on such prestigious committees as the board of education task force on the 21^st Century Education.

Siegel is headed to Princeton this Fall, where he plans to pursue a major in the undergraduate program at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, with added certificates in urban studies and finance. He sees himself in an academic career, carving out opportunities to weigh in on public issues, possibly as a consultant on legal cases or in government.

"I was drawn to Princeton for its academic strengths—I felt such a connection to the culture of the school because of the emphasis on the undergraduate experience," he said.

His interest in melding academics and politics took hold over two summers in the Yale Ivy Scholars program, where he studied leadership, advocacy and grand strategy, focusing on China's relations with rogue states. He authored the paper "China as a Safety Net: its Development, its Threat, and Implications for U.S. Grand Strategy," currently under peer review for publication in the Journal of International Relations.

"Not only was it great preparation for college, I learned a lot about planning, time management, and owning one's whole mind—about asking good questions. I realized what an education should do is not to teach you the answers, but teach you how to ask questions, and how to conduct your own inquiry," he said thoughtfully.

Though he feels destined for a career in public service, he pointed to his internship at a private equity firm as one that taught him that finance was a tool for changing public perceptions. The firm, MissionPoint Capital Partners, invests in green energy.

"In the midst of this recession where people attack financiers as Darth Vadar figures, I saw that providing capital to a start up that has a solution to climate change was powerful. Private investment can solve complex issues, where the political process can move too slowly," he said.

Siegel also gives much credit to teachers and administrators at John Jay, primarily to his humanities teacher, Dr. Marguerite Hefferon.

"She is my greatest inspiration," he said.

Hefferon worked with Siegel throughout a three-year humanities research program. Siegel also mentioned John Jay principal Ellen Doherty, Director of Guidance Christopher Griffin and teachers Linda Burke and Chandler Lewis as critical supports.

"Near the end of 8th grade, I considered private school but decided against it. I have had a great education at John Jay and such wonderful opportunities—I don't regret it."

If there was one thing he'd change, Siegel said, it would be to improve the level of trust between the board of education, the public, and the administration. He hoped that in the future, healthy debate could exist—something he felt was lacking during the district's budget development process.

Though he describes himself as serious person, his range from arts to outdoors, to reading and fine dining. He hopes to take advantage of some non-academic pursuits at Princeton, too, such as joining a sailing club.

And this summer? "I'm going to build up my strength for school, and relax," he said, smiling.