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Nigel Tatem

1,915

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Bio

Hello, My name is Nigel Tatem and I will be an upcoming freshman at Cornell University's School of Engineering fall 2024. It is my plan to major in Computer Science.

Education

Rick Reedy High School

High School
2020 - 2024

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Computer Science
    • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Computer Software

    • Dream career goals:

    • Cashier & Courtesy Clerk

      H-E-B
      2023 – 20241 year
    • Cashier & Courtesy Clerk

      Tom Thumb
      2022 – 20231 year
    • Car Detailer, Cashier, Tunnel Operation, Chemicals

      Clean Bandit Carwash
      2018 – 20246 years

    Sports

    Wrestling

    Varsity
    2020 – 20233 years

    Awards

    • warrior award
    • Team Captain

    Football

    Varsity
    2020 – 20244 years

    Awards

    • lionheart award
    • 2nd team academic all-state

    Research

    • Data Science

      UnitedHealth — Interning with the director of regulatory affairs at UnitedHealth to make a program that can scan legal documents and give out the most useful info tailored to their needs.
      2023 – Present
    • Data Science

      Clean Bandit Carwash — Employee analytics, create website for advertising, optimize machine maintanence by preventing with previous data.
      2021 – Present

    Arts

    • Unity

      Animation
      Bear and Bunny's Cuddly Adventure, Flappy Bear
      2022 – 2024

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Rotary Youth Leadership Awards — Counselor
      2023 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Business Professionals of America — Programming Team Lead, helped lead a team of 4 students place top 5 at region, top 10 at state, and 1st in nationals for C# programming, and continuing to help students in programming competitions (55+ service hours)
      2023 – Present
    • Volunteering

      CodeGenius — Curriculum Management went through for 30+ hours and edited the learning modules and spent 5+ hours teaching the curriculum and answering students questions
      2023 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Red Cross and Carter Bloodcare — Donated 12 pints of blood and 1 plasma donation
      2021 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Black Student Alliance — Led and setup volunteering opportunties at Minnies Food Pantry, Bonton Farms, and school events
      2020 – Present
    • Volunteering

      National Tech Honor Society — Vice President, Tutored 120+ hours throughout highschool, wrote tests for the AP Computer Science Principles students
      2021 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    RonranGlee Literary Scholarship
    From a young age, I was fascinated by the concept of paradoxes—the idea that two seemingly contradictory statements could both be true. This fascination led me to delve into ancient literature, where I discovered the Dissoi Logoi, a work renowned for its exploration of contradictory arguments. One particular paragraph from this text captured my imagination, prompting me to reflect on the nature of truth and perception in a way that profoundly influenced my understanding of the world. "Furthermore, it is argued by some that fish can fly and birds can swim, while others maintain that such assertions defy the natural order of the world. Indeed, there are those who claim that the moon is made of cheese and the sun is but a flickering candle in the vast expanse of the heavens. Yet, amidst these fantastical musings, one cannot escape the enigmatic allure of the unknown, where reality and imagination intertwine in a dance of cosmic proportions. In this surreal realm, where the boundaries between fact and fiction blur, the mind is free to wander into uncharted territories of thought and speculation. It is a place where the absurd and the profound coexist, challenging the very foundations of our understanding. For in the realm of the bizarre and the surreal, truth takes on a shape-shifting guise, eluding the grasp of rational thought and inviting the curious mind to explore the limitless boundaries of possibility. Here, amidst the whimsical fantasies and outlandish conjectures, one finds a sanctuary for the imagination, a realm where the laws of physics bend and reality is but a fleeting illusion. It is a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the mundane is transformed into the miraculous. And in this strange and wondrous landscape, the mind is set free to dream and to wonder, to ponder the mysteries of the universe and to embrace the infinite possibilities that lie beyond the realm of the known." In the excerpt from the Dissoi Logoi, the author presents a series of paradoxical assertions, challenging conventional notions of reality and inviting readers to ponder the nature of truth and perception. This passage and furthermore text is akin to a true devil's advocate. The passage begins with the assertion that "fish can fly and birds can swim," a statement that defies the laws of nature as commonly understood. This assertion is immediately juxtaposed with the opposing viewpoint, suggesting that such claims are absurd and contrary to the established order of the world. However, rather than dismissing these assertions outright, the author delves deeper into the complexities of perception and belief to somehow justify fish flying, and birds swimming as a reasonable statement! The author's underlying meaning becomes apparent when considering the broader context of the Dissoi Logoi, a work known for its exploration of contradictory arguments and moral relativism, perhaps one of the greatest works to define this concept. Through the use of paradoxical statements, the author challenges readers to question their assumptions and consider alternative perspectives of some confusing statements. In this particular paragraph, the author highlights the subjective nature of truth, suggesting that what one person perceives as reality may be perceived quite differently by another. By introducing fantastical assertions such as the moon being made of cheese and the sun being likened to a flickering candle, the author pushes readers to confront the limits of their own understanding. These absurd claims serve as a metaphor for the arbitrary nature of belief and the human tendency to ascribe meaning to the unknown. Just as the assertion that fish can fly contradicts our understanding of biology, so too do the claims about the moon and the sun challenge our understanding of cosmology. Ultimately, the author's underlying message is one of intellectual humility and openness to different perspectives. Rather than clinging rigidly to preconceived notions of truth, the author encourages readers to embrace uncertainty and engage in critical thinking. Even a scientist should be able to practice this kind of humility, and realize the world is no-where near black and white. I put this into practice in my own life, as when someone tells me things are impossible, or I am frustrated with situations around me I can bounce between perspectives to understand those around me better or find unconventional solutions that could be overshadowed by the usual fixes. By acknowledging the inherent ambiguity of reality, the author invites readers to explore the human experience and recognize the value of diverse viewpoints. The excerpt from the Dissoi Logoi serves as a thought-provoking meditation on the nature of truth and perception. Through the use of paradoxical statements and fantastical claims, the author challenges readers to question their assumptions and consider alternative viewpoints. This challenge from the author has made me a better engineer, brother, son, and friend. It is a reminder of free will, and the fact that no statement is without its truth. Next time you are solving a problem, or arguing a point remember by embracing intellectual humility and openness to ambiguity, you too can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the world, those around us, and the myriad ways in which reality can be handled.