Parsippany Student Wins Mensa Essay Contest

Shreyes Joshi has been fascinated with planes since he was a youngster – but he said, it was not just the excitement of watching them take off and land.

“I was really interested in how the engines worked and how the planes were designed,” said Joshi, a Parsippany resident who is a senior at the Academy for Mathematics, Science and Engineering, a magnet program at Morris Hills Regional High School in Rockaway.

The 18-year-old drew upon his passion for all things aeronautic and his understanding of physics and the sciences to craft the award-winning essay that won the North New Jersey Mensa Wendy Sailer Scholarship, named for a long-time NNJM member.

Criteria for the essay judging included grammar, explanation of future personal goal and supporting statements. In addition to the $500 award, Joshi's’ essay is also eligible for other American Mensa scholarships.

“I’m thrilled, really, that my essay was chosen,” said Shreyes. “I just wrote about what I love.”

“I congratulate Shreyes on his excellent and well thought-out essay, and wish him well in his future studies and academic adventures,” said Dr. Robert Kern Curtis, the north Jersey Mensa chapter's local secretary.

Joshi said he plans to study engineering and has been accepted to a number of colleges, including Rutgers and Princeton universities. As of this writing, he has not yet made a decision as to where he will attend.

“I’m pretty excited about both of them, but I’m leaning towards Princeton,” the teen said.

Until he leaves for college, Joshi said he is looking forward to pursuing another passion: gardening.

“I love to get out there and plant vegetables, especially. Let’s hope the summer weather cooperates,” he said.