Past Tutors
Nicholas Jardin, CEO
University of Pennsylvania
Hello everyone! My name is Nick Jardin, and I’m a senior at PV High with a 5.0 GPA. I am an AP Scholar with Distinction, having scored 4’s and 5’s on eight AP exams, including Biology, Physics 1, Computer Science A, Precalculus, and Chinese. While I enjoy tutoring in a wide range of subjects, math is my favorite. At school, I serve as Captain of the Cross Country team, President of the National Chinese Honor Society, a Vice President of Model United Nations, a Vice President of Science National Honor Society, and a lead for our world championship–qualifying First Robotics Competition team. I’m also a two-time Technology Student Association Nationals qualifier, a Link Crew leader, a member of National Honor Society, and an active member of other programs. Outside of school, I am a top-20 South Bay 5,000-meter runner, Senior Editor of the South Bay Chinese School Yearbook, a Code Ninjas employee, and an American Legion California Boys & Girls State Delegate. I also have my Private Pilot License. I look forward to meeting all of you!
Krystal Deng, CEO
Northwestern University
Hi! I’m Krystal Deng, and I’m a senior at PV High with a 4.0/4.93 GPA and a 1540 SAT. I’m happy to tutor any subject, as I’ve scored 4’s and 5’s on 8 AP tests, including U.S. History, French, English Language, and Calculus AB. At school, I love leading our Model United Nations program as Secretary General, building robots as the Mechanical Engineering Lead of our First Robotics team, and thinking on my feet as a Mock Trial attorney. Outside of school, I’ve won multiple awards as an attorney on Modernbrain’s Mock Trial Nationals Team; I’m also Vice Chair of Rancho Palos Verdes’s Youth Advisory Council and Founder of my non-profit Thrifting for Turtles, where I advocate against fast fashion with my fellow tutor Ryann. I’m also represented by Photogenics LA as a model, which means I get to walk in fashion shows and work with designers in my free time. When I’m not in the courtroom, the workshop, or the studio, I love cafe-hopping with my friends, watching Formula 1 (Team LH!), and going to concerts. I’m super excited to meet you!
Maryam Soliman, CEO
University of California, Berkeley
Hey! My name is Maryam Soliman, and I’m a senior at PV with a 3.97/4.97 GPA. I am an AP Scholar with Distinction, having scored 4’s and 5’s on Chemistry, Biology, Spanish Language, World History, Psychology, and more. I am happy to tutor any subject, but my favorites are Biology and Spanish! On campus, I’m president of the Middle Eastern Student Union, a VP for the Science National Honor Society, Historian of Tri-M, and a national thespian. I enjoy being an active member of PV Drama’s amazing productions, creating podcasts for OOP, tutoring in Spanish Lab, and raising money for LLS. Outside of school, I love volunteering at church and interning at the Lundquist Institute, where I conduct neurological research. I have received multiple honors, including the Mayor’s Citizenship Award, 1st place in the LA County Science Fair, and recognition from the Society for In Vitro Biology. In my free time, I love singing and endlessly re-watching The Office. I am beyond excited to meet all of you!
Lena Peresztegi
University of Southern California
Hi everyone! My name is Lena Peresztegi, and I’m a senior at PVHS. I have a 4.9 weighted GPA and 3.9 unweighted GPA. I’m happy to help in most subjects, but my favorites are math and science! I have scored 5’s and 4’s on AP World History, AP English Language, AP Chemistry, AP Seminar, AP Art History, and AP 2-D Art and Design. In school, I am VP of Speakers for Science National Honor Society, a part of Spanish Honor Society, English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science Research. Through Science Research, I advanced all the way to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas, where I placed 3rd in the Cellular and Molecular Biology category. Outside of school, I have interned at a lab at USC through the BUGS Jr. Program, presented my research at an international APS meeting, and I’ve become an ambassador for Young Women in Bio. In my free time, I love to paint, travel, and spend time with my friends and family. I look forward to working with all of you!
Sydney Wynn
University of California, Los Angeles
Hey everyone! I’m Sydney Wynn and I am a senior at PV High. I have a 4.0/4.93 GPA, and have received 5s on 7 AP tests, including Biology, Chemistry, English Language, Seminar, and more. I love working out and being in the water, as I am a captain of the varsity girls water polo team, have been a Cadet for the LA County Lifeguard Division, and teach private swim lessons in the summer. I’ve also been involved in many other activities around school, including President of SNHS, VP of NEHS, Orchestra, Link Crew, and Science Research. Outside of school, I conduct research as an intern at the Lundquist Institute and enjoy volunteering with the National Charity League. In my free time, you can find me hanging out at the beach, searching for my next favorite coffee shop, and spending time with my dogs! Although I can tutor all subjects, my strongest subjects are biology, chemistry, and math. I look forward to meeting you!
Ruka Ito
University of California, San Diego
Hi everyone, my name is Ruka Ito. I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School with a 4.8 weighted GPA. I have completed 10 AP classes so far, and my favorite subjects in school are chemistry and history. On campus, I am involved in PVIT ROV for electrical engineering, TSA, science research, Science Olympiad, and varsity swim. Outside of school, I regularly volunteer at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. I have also recently participated in an academic research program on cheminformatics. In my free time, I like traveling and spending time with my Shiba Inu. I look forward to working with you all!
Carolina Juelle
University of Notre Dame
Hello everyone! My name is Carolina Juelle, and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I have taken various honors and AP classes, including Spanish Language and Culture, US History, English Language and Composition, Precalculus, Biology, and more. In addition to being an AP Scholar with Distinction, I also hold a 5.0/4.0 GPA. My favorite subjects are math, Spanish, English, and science; however, I am happy to tutor for any class. At PVHS, I am very active on campus. Currently, I am President of Be the Change, President of Spanish Honor Society, MUN Under Secretary of Logistics, and in many honor societies and clubs. I am also a member of the Varsity Song team and of PVIT. Outside of school, I enjoy volunteering through National Charity League, spending time with my family, and going out to dinner with my friends. I look forward to working with you all!
Evie Poole
University of California, Berkeley
Hi everyone! My name is Evie Poole and I’m a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I have a 4.9/4.0 GPA and am an AP Scholar with Honor. I’ve received 4’s and 5’s on all the AP exams I’ve taken, including AP World, AP Lang, AP Seminar, and AP Environmental Science. My favorite class is Environmental Science, but I’m happy to help in any subject. In school, I’m involved with CSF, ENHS, SNHS, and Link Crew. I’m also a part of the PVIT ROV team, where I was the ESG manager (we recently placed first at Worlds) In addition, I’ve been on varsity swim every year of high school. Outside of school, I volunteer at the San Pedro animal shelter. I have had numerous jobs, giving me prior work and tutoring experiences. I can’t wait to meet all of you!
Maven Ding
Georgetown University
Hi everyone! I am Maven Ding, a senior at Palos Verdes High School who will be attending Georgetown University to play D1 softball. I have a 4.93/4.0 GPA and a 34 ACT score, as well as the title of AP Scholar with Honor. On campus, I am the co-president of Morgan’s Message, a club that promotes mental health awareness in student-athletes, and I am a part of Open Orchard Productions, a broadcast journalism podcasting course. I am also an active member in CSF, SNHS, NEHS, and SHH, along with being a part of the high school softball team. Outside of school, I play competitive travel softball and dedicate many hours to volunteering through NCL. I specialize in teaching all subjects to younger students. In my free time, you will find me spending time with my friends, watching movies, going to the beach, or staying home with my cats!
Lea Yang
Brown University
Hi everyone! My name is Lea Yang, and I’m currently a senior at Palos Verdes High School. Academically, I have a 4.9 weighted GPA and am an AP Scholar with Distinction, having earned 5s on six AP exams, including AP U.S. History, AP Calculus BC, AP World History, and AP English Language. I’m comfortable tutoring in most subjects, with my strongest areas being English, Math, History, and Spanish. At school, I serve as President of the English National Honor Society and Vice President of the Science National Honor Society. I’m also a member of CSF, the Spanish NHS, and Tri-M Music Honor Society, and I am the principal violist in our school orchestra. Outside of school, I am a nationally ranked Division 1 fencer and intern as a marketing and business strategist at a biotech startup. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and watching movies. I look forward to working with all of you!
Ariena Thurairajah
Brown University
Hi! My name is Ariena and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I have a 5.0/4.0 GPA and am an AP Scholar with Distinction. I’ve taken several AP classes, ranging from AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Environmental Science to AP Spanish, AP World History, and many more! I love all subjects, but my favorites are Biology and Environmental Science. I’m deeply passionate about addressing educational disparities and am involved in many clubs that play a role in improving education-related issues. At school, I serve on the Principal’s Advisory Council and the Palos Verdes Superintendent’s Advisory Council. Additionally, I am President/Founder of American Sign Language club, President of Palos Verdes Organization of Women, Vice President of SAASHA, a member of the Model United Nations executive board, and part of several honor societies. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, playing with my pet parakeet, and sculpting miniatures with polymer clay. I look forward to working with you!
Michael Wang
University of Southern California
Hello! My name is Michael Wang, and I am a junior at Palos Verdes High School. I have a 4.9/4.0 GPA, and my scores of 4s/5s on AP Classes, including US History, Bio, and Psych have made me an AP Scholar with Distinction. Although I am willing to tutor any subject, I am best at math and English, having gotten a 5 on AP Lang and a 780 on SAT Math. I’m currently our school orchestra’s concertmaster, lead violinist of the Cloyden Quartet, and a volunteer for PV Musical Connections with fellow tutor Annalia. I’m the PViT Vex co-president and project manager for the upperclassmen team, and I’ve done engineering work with the Ohio Department of Transportation and Boeing Satellite Systems as a Chief Technology Officer intern. I also play tennis, where I’m a captain, private coach, and 2-time JTT National Qualifier. During my free time, I love driving around, going to the beach, and trying out new restaurants.
Ryann Andrews
Stanford University
Hi everyone! My name is Ryann Andrews, and I am a senior at PV with a 4.0 unweighted and a 5.0 weighted GPA. In school, I am the founder of Thrifting for Turtles, an environmental club focused on wildlife, 3-year tutor at our lunchtime math tutoring, Live from 205 Sports Anchor, and Business Lead for PV First Robotics team, which went to Worlds. I love talking to and helping people, which is why I volunteer at Community Helpline every week, and also why I’ve been a Link Crew Leader for 2 years now. In my free time, you can find me on the beach volleyball courts, as I am going into my 4th year of varsity beach volleyball at PV. I also love baking, painting, and spending time with friends, family, and my dog and cat! I can’t wait to tutor you!
Keke Melton
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Hello! My name is Keke Melton, and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School. A little bit about me is that I have passed all my AP courses, including AP Chemistry and AP Calculus AB. I enjoy many subjects, but mainly love math and science. Additionally, I am the CSO of the PVIT ROV team (we recently placed first at Worlds). I also run track and play soccer for PV. Outside of school, I’ve spent the last two years coaching youth soccer—working with 5U boys and girls' teams aged 8 and 12. I enjoy watching new movies with my family and playing with my pet rabbit. I’m excited to meet you all and look forward to working with you!
Avery Cardenas
University of Notre Dame
Hi! My name is Avery Cardenas, and I am a senior this year at Palos Verdes High School. I have taken various AP and Honors courses, and recently earned the AP Scholar with Distinction award, along with maintaining a weighted 4.9 GPA throughout high school. I am currently working towards an AP Capstone Diploma, and my strengths include reading comprehension, writing, and English, but I am also happy to tutor in math and science as well. This year, I am a President of Be The Change, and am a member of National Charity League, National Honor Society, and California Scholarship Foundation. In my free time, I teach swim lessons to little kids, love to babysit, and my all-time favorite food is In-N-Out burgers! I look forward to working with you!
Annalia Henderson
California Institute of Technology
Hello! My name is Annalia Henderson, and I’m a senior at PVHS. I’m excited to help out in any subject area, but I’m most experienced in STEM. I’ve scored 5s in all my APs, including Computer Science A, Physics C, and Calculus BC. I’ve been involved in tennis and swimming, Science Research, TSA, PVIT ROV and Battlebots, Tri-M Music Honors Society, and SNHS. I’m also the president of Phenomenal Food and Friends, a yummy potluck club, and co-president of PV Musical Connections, a music volunteering club. I’ve had the opportunity to work with students of all ages, whether as a Unit Head at Sunrise Day Camp last summer or teaching tennis and cello. In my free time, I enjoy shopping for delicious Korean food, programming light shows for orchestras, and exploring nature. I look forward to meeting you all!
Rayaan Jaffer
University of California, Berkeley
Hello, I’m Rayaan Jaffer! I’m a senior at Palos Verdes High School with a 4.86 GPA, and I love helping students succeed in their classes. I tutor a wide range of subjects, including Math, Chemistry, and Biology. I am involved in many leadership roles, including President of the PVHS Science National Honor Society, President of Steps for a Cure, and CEO of the Palos Verdes Institute of Technology (PVIT), where my team won first place at the international MATE ROV competition. I’ve also interned at Boeing, worked in an orthodontics office, and mentored students in robotics at AltaSea. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing basketball (both as captain and coach), volunteering at my mosque, and spending time with friends and family. I’m super excited to work with PV Tutors and help students reach their full potential!
Francesca Masellis
University of California, Berkeley
Hey! My name is Francesca Masellis, and I’m a senior at PVHS. I have a 4.8 GPA and received the AP Scholar with Distinction award, scoring 4s and 5s on my AP exams, including Psychology, World History, Chemistry, English Language, and U.S. History. On campus, I’ve served as junior editor-in-chief of the Triton Yearbook, head of decorations for Project Runway, activities director of Thrifting for Turtles, and member of the Choreo team. I am also part of on-campus programs like CSF, NSHS, NEHS, and Science Research. Outside of school, I help teach dance to individuals with disabilities in the Ready, Willing, and Able program, and I charter a nonprofit called PupCycled, which creates toys for shelter dogs. I’ve also performed liturgical dance and worked as an assistant camp counselor. In college, I plan to major in animal science, and I’ve been shadowing veterinarians for experience. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, drawing, reading, doing Pilates, writing, baking, and walking my dog, Buster. I look forward to meeting you!
Luke Kim
University of California, Berkeley
Hi! My name is Luke Kim, and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School with a 3.9/4.8 GPA. My strongest subjects are Math, Environmental Science, and Biology. I have taken 10 AP exams, passed all of them, and earned recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction. At school, I serve as president of the House of Refuge Club, compete in Science Olympiad and Math Club, and am an active member of both the National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation. Outside of school, I work as a church teacher’s assistant for young children, serve as publisher for the Science Research Club, participate in the PV Assembly, volunteer with Timeless Talks, and enjoy collecting trading cards and watching a variety of sports.
Sevianne Botiller
University of California, Los Angeles
Hello, I’m Seviane Botiller, but everyone calls me Sevi! I’m a senior at Palos Verdes High School, and I have a 4.93/4.0 GPA. My strongest subjects are math and science, earning no less than 98% in my math classes. I have taken 8 AP classes (soon to be 14 after this year), earning 4s and 5s. Aside from being an AP Scholar with distinction, I am a part of my school’s Technology Student Association as well as the National Honor Society, and plan to join Math Club this year. Outside of school, I am part of the PV High sailing team, a tutor, and a volunteer with local land conservancies. In my free time, I love hanging out with friends, drawing, playing guitar, and rollerskating. I’m a very extroverted person and will make sure that every student feels comfortable
Grace Booth
University of California, Los Angeles
Hi, my name is Grace Booth! I’m a senior at Palos Verdes High School with a 4.9 weighted GPA. I am an AP Scholar with Distinction, with 5s on AP US History, AP PreCalculus, and 4s on AP European History, AP English Language, and AP Seminar. My strongest subject is math, but I’m happy to tutor in any subject! At school, I am a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Social Science Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, and CSF. Additionally, I run Varsity Cross Country/Track and Field. Outside of school, I am the founder of Clear Coast Collective, a beach-cleanup organization, a member and council representative of National Charity League, and the owner of Gracelets, a jewelry business. In my spare time, I enjoy painting, crocheting, and spending time with my friends and family. This will be my second year of tutoring, and I look forward to working with you!
Pierce Snure
El Camino College
Hello! My name is Pierce Snure, and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School with a 4.0/4.6 GPA. My favorite subjects are Math and Business, and I was a lunchtime peer math tutor during my junior year at PV High. This year, I will be working on a finance research project with a group of classmates. I play varsity soccer for PV High and ECNL club soccer as a center back. I spend my summers coaching soccer at LAFC and Peninsula soccer camps, and during the year, I coach basketball at PVYBL. My favorite foods are mint chocolate chip ice cream and pizza. I also started my own company with a friend called NXLVL Futbol, and we do private soccer training for kids in the South Bay. My college goal is to major in math, finance, or actuarial science. I look forward to helping students again this year.
Logan Kim
University of California, Berkeley
Hi everyone! My name is Logan Kim, and I’m a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I have a 4.8 weighted GPA and a 4.0 unweighted GPA, and I’ve taken 14 AP classes so far. I’m comfortable helping in most subjects, with my strongest areas being math, computer science, and statistics. My academic interests are centered around computer science and statistics, which have developed into a strong interest in AI research, particularly in machine learning and language models. At school, I am the President of Science Olympiad and also involved in TSA and VEX Robotics. Outside of school, I enjoy working on coding projects, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. I look forward to working with you all!