Humans of St. Marks — The St. Marker

Manasa Mahesh ‘27

One of the most impactful opportunities at St. Mark’s is applying for and receiving a grant. The six grants offered by St. Mark’s allow students to broaden their perspectives and take part in experiences that enrich their learning. Students can apply for grants for a variety of purposes. This summer, current sophomore Teni Ogunjumo got to experience a new opportunity at Stanford University as a recipient of the Kean Fellowship Grant. This interview highlights the experience that the grant allowed Teni to participate in.

Can you speak more about the Kean Fellowship? What led you to apply for this specific grant over the others?

The Kean Fellowship’s purpose is to allow students who want to focus on public policy topics that are extremely important through independent research. The fellowship directly aligned with what I hoped to accomplish.

What did you accomplish with the grant?

I studied artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning at Stanford University for two weeks. With this grant, I was able to dive deeply into AI research, specifically in the area of medical imaging.

While at Stanford, I had the opportunity to learn and work with AI and machine learning. My research focused on using AI to analyze brain CT scans. As a result of my work on the AI brain scan project, we demonstrated how AI can accurately distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous images, which could significantly streamline the diagnostic process.

Why was the research/project important to you and the public? How does this relate to the purpose of the Kean Fellowship Grant?

I wanted to learn more about how using AI technology can help solve current issues and improve medical developments—the project aimed to develop a system that could differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous brain scans. The project had a potential real-world impact—AI can be a powerful tool in early cancer detection, improving diagnostic accuracy and potentially saving lives. This research advanced my understanding of AI's role in healthcare and opened doors for me. After the project, I was considered for an internship, which is an exciting opportunity to continue working in this field.

What do you want to accomplish using the experience from the grant?

I am creating a STEM class for middle school students. The class will be partially based on the work I did with AI and machine learning during my Stanford research. I hope to inspire young students to explore the world of AI and STEM and to show them how these technologies can be used to solve real-world problems, just as I did with my brain scan project.

Do you have any final thoughts about your experience?

The Kean Fellowship Grant has opened new doors for my future and strengthened my passion for AI and education. I’m excited about what’s next and eager to continue applying what I’ve learned in new ways.

Seoyeon Kim ‘26

On February 20, 2025, St. Mark’s had the privilege of inviting Gray Colloquium speaker, Desmond Napoles, also known as Desi—a multi-award-winning LGBTQ+ advocate, genderfluid model, designer, performer, and author.

Desi began their public journey at just seven years old, making their professional drag debut in Jinkx Monsoon's music video for "The Bacon Shake." Since then, they have amassed a significant social media presence, with over 137,000 followers on Instagram, and have been featured in The New York Times, NBC News, and Teen Vogue. Desi continues to use their platform to challenge stereotypes and create space for LGBTQ+ youth, proving that you are never too young to change the world.

From walking the runway at New York Fashion Week to founding the first drag house for young performers, Desi has continuously pushed boundaries in fashion, performance, and advocacy. Furthermore, their children’s book, Be Amazing: A History of Pride, empowers young people to embrace their identities.

In an exclusive interview, Desmond, now 17, reflected on their journey, the challenges they’ve faced and their hopes for the future.

Reflecting on their early years in drag, Desmond credited their mother’s love for RuPaul’s Drag Race as their introduction to the art form. “Drag was a way of showing a character, but in reality, that character was who I really was,” they explained. “It helped me express myself and find out who I truly am.”

Their visibility as a young LGBTQ+ advocate has been life-changing for both themselves and for others. “When I started getting messages from kids saying they didn’t feel so alone anymore, that’s when I realized I was making a difference,” they shared.

Despite their impact, Desmond has faced challenges from criticism about their age to legislative pushback. “People tell me I’m too young to be doing this, but I just stay true to who I am. If I disappear into the shadows, I’m giving the people who pass these laws exactly what they want.”

Social media has been both a tool and a disturbance. “Online bullying can be worse than real-life bullying,” Desmond admitted. “But I try to focus on the positives—being able to inspire others and show them that they’re not alone.”

Their book, Be Amazing: A History of Pride, carries that same message. “I wanted LGBTQ+ youth to see it in their library and know that there are others like them.”

Looking ahead, Desmond hopes to pursue law and politics while reigniting their passion for drag. “I definitely think I can be more expressive with my fashion and do more performances.”

Their advice for students at St. Mark’s? “Treat others how you want to be treated. Don’t let others take you down, and don’t take others down for being themselves.”