Student Profiles

Axel Lopez chose BB&N as a ninth grader because he believed his dancing would enable him to “stand out” in the community. Has it ever! Already in the course of just two years, Axel has put his exhilarating hip-hop dance talents on display at several BB&N events, including “One School, One World,” the Arts Bash, an all-school assembly, and the Hispanic Heritage Dinner. In addition, he has been able to pursue his passion for hip-hop from his very first days on campus, starting with his freshman arts elective.

Most remarkable to Axel, however, are not just the accolades he has received at BB&N for his amazing dancing, but also the attention and support he has received as an individual. “People don’t notice me only as a dancer,” he says. “Teachers try to nurture talent in a variety of areas.” Math is his favorite class. “It comes easily to me,” he says with obvious confidence.

Axel is more modest, however, about the fact that he has become a leader in the community, in the view of both students and faculty. He was voted by his teammates to be captain of JV tennis and was voted by his coaches to be captain of JV soccer.

Axel came to BB&N via Beacon Academy, a yearlong program that prepares students for the rigors of private school. Though during the early days his new school felt “overwhelming” at times, Axel always knew he had the support of BB&N faculty as well as other Beacon Academy graduates in the upper grades. “When I first got here, many teachers reached out to me,” he says. “Now I know to reach out to them.” His advisor, in particular, helped with the transition. As he becomes an upperclassman, Axel hopes to be that kind of mentor for younger students.

“There is a reason you go to private school,” he says. “It’s because you are capable of doing what they ask of you.”