Mackenzie “Kenzie” Wasniewski is entering high school with a goal: graduate in three years and study Food Science at Cornell University. Yet Kenzie is not approaching it as a race. She wants to challenge herself while making time for basketball, cooking, friends, and the experiences that make high school meaningful.
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Her interest in Food Science began in the kitchen. Kenzie has enjoyed cooking and baking, but she became less interested in following recipes and more curious about why ingredients behave the way they do. She is drawn to chemistry and product development and hopes to create foods that are healthier, more sustainable, and more affordable without sacrificing taste.
Cornell became her dream school because of its Food Science program, research, and opportunities for students to work with professors. She imagines herself contributing to research, joining organizations, and preparing for a career that addresses food waste and access to nutritious food.
Kenzie’s goals are supported by a belief in her ability. After struggling in math, she raised her grade from a D to a B by practicing consistently, asking questions, and working with her AAC tutor. The experience taught her that difficulty is not evidence that she cannot succeed. It may be a signal to change her approach and seek support.
She brings that same persistence to life outside school. After earning her first scuba certification, Kenzie continued through Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Emergency First Response, and specialty certifications. She has also begun working with her father on marketing for an HVAC company, where she develops scripts and practices communication skills that many students do not encounter until college or their professional role.
Those qualities became visible during Alexia Scholars Weekend, when Kenzie was named the program’s first Scholar Weekend Star. She raised $1,050: $750 through grassroots efforts connected to the Alexia Scholars fundraising page and another $300 through the Mahjong & Matcha event. She also stepped forward for the bake sale, created beautifully decorated cookies, networked, and remained positive throughout the weekend. She earned the recognition not through one isolated accomplishment, but through consistency, initiative, and generosity.
Kenzie first joined AAC Tutoring for math tutoring. After seeing her progress, her family chose the Top Tier Student Bundle to connect academic support with long-term college planning. The program combines a 32+ ACT Score Guarantee Course, STEM and AP tutoring, mentorship, college interview coaching, and unlimited Common Application editing.
That continuity is what makes the bundle valuable for students with substantial goals. Selective college preparation is not something that can be compressed into an essay written during senior year. Students need time to strengthen challenging subjects, explore genuine interests, develop leadership, prepare for testing, and understand how their experiences fit together.
Kenzie is beginning freshman year, and her plans may evolve. That is why starting early matters. The goal is not to manufacture a perfect applicant. It is to give a motivated student the guidance, time, and confidence to become more fully herself.
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