Past Tutors
These tutors have graduated and no longer work with us!
Viviana Hsiao, CEO
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Hi there! I’m Viviana Hsiao, a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I have a 4.93/4.0 GPA and have scored a 35 on the ACT; I am also an AP Scholar with Distinction. In school, I am Concertmistress of our PVHS Orchestra, Founder and President of the Medical Society Club, and Historian of MUN. I’m also involved in Mock Trial, Principal’s Advisory Council, and various honor societies. Outside of school, I am Principal of 1st Violin in the Palos Verdes Youth Symphony, Social Outreach Manager of Z Magazine, and Vice President of Students 4 Students English Help, a non-profit that tutors disadvantaged students in Vietnam. I also volunteer at Community Helpline and conduct research on bone density, liver fat, calcification, etc. In my free time, I enjoy going on picnics with friends, recording and editing snippets of my life, making Spotify playlists to fit my every mood, and building my dream life on Pinterest! I am super excited to help others, and I can’t wait to work with everyone!
David Maemoto, CEO
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Hi there! I’m David Maemoto, a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I’ve really enjoyed my time in high school and I’m happy to help tutor in any academic subject area. Math and science are my specialty as I have exhausted all of the district’s math and most of the science curriculum, receiving an AP score of 5 for Calc BC, Physics Mechanics and E&M, Chemistry and Statistics, while maintaining a 4.9 weighted GPA. In addition to being an AP Scholar with distinction, I am also President of Be the Change, lead on the PVIT UAV Team, President of Science NHS and a senior editor for the Tradewinds Literary Magazine. When I’m not studying, you can find me on the basketball court, driving range or catching up with friends at my favorite boba spot after a hard workout. I’m looking forward to a great year and working with all of you!
Vanessa Tran
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Hey everyone! My name is Vanessa Tran and I’m currently a senior at PVHS. I’ve partaken in a variety of hobbies but my favorites are sewing, drawing, and public speaking. At school, I am involved in MUN, Mock Trial, and Speech and Debate. I also am the founder and president of a non-profit (Students 4 Students English) that provides help to disadvantaged kids in Vietnam. I have an 4.9/4.0 GPA and my favorite classes are Math, English, and History. My highest level math class is AP Calculus BC (score 5). Outside of school, I volunteer at a VA hospital and draw medical illustrations for textbook publications. You can often find me designing/sewing dresses and staying up late at night binge watching true crime series. I’m super excited to get to know everyone and I look forward to meeting you all!
Alex Klerman
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Hi everyone. My name is Alex Klerman, and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I am a straight-A student and have a 4.87 weighted GPA. I also scored a 1540 on the SAT and am an AP Scholar with Distinction. My favorite classes in high school have been Math, Physics, English, and History. I am the Upper Middle School Liaison for Model UN, where I am leading the creation of the Model UN program at PVIS. I am a forward on Varsity soccer, a defense attorney in Mock Trial, and a National Honors Society member. Outside of school, I am involved in Palos Verdes Assembly, a volunteer organization. In my free time, I love to surf, get into heated debates about pineapple pizza, and escape to Northern California to visit my grandparents. I can’t wait to meet all of you!
Heath Bray
DUKE UNIVERSITY
Hi! I'm Heath Bray and I'm a Senior at Palos Verdes High School. I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA and 4.95 weighted GPA and I have taken many honors and AP classes. My favorite subjects in school are science and History. I am involved in NEHS, SNHS, TRI-M, NHS. I'm on the Varsity lacrosse team and I play clarinet in the PVHS orchestra. I'm an active member in CSF and FCA. Outside of school I'm in Los Hermanos, a volunteer organization. I've also coached PVBA for 2 years so I've grown accustomed to working with kids and I’m a community helpline volunteer. I also work a job at Terranea. I'm excited to tutor and meet you!
Calvin Barnum
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Hi everyone! My name is Calvin Barnum, and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I have maintained a 5.0 GPA throughout high school and received a commendation for my score on the PSAT/NMSQT. I specialize in teaching math, english, law, and trumpet. On campus I am the drum major of the PVHS Marching Band, editor-in-chief of the Tradewinds Literary Magazine, and a member of the school's varsity swim team. In my free time I love to read science fiction, bake banana chocolate chip muffins, and cycle.
Greta Norris
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
Hello! I'm Greta Norris and I am a senior at PV High. I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 4.93 weighted GPA, and am an AP Scholar with Distinction. Spanish is one of my strongest subjects, and I am enrolled in Spanish 5 this year. My other favorite subjects include English and Science. To further expand my education, I have taken four online classes at El Camino. At school, I am involved in CSF, PAC, various honor societies, human rights clubs, and varsity cross country and track. In my free time, you can find me picnicking with friends, running, volunteering at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children, and skiing and mountain biking in Mammoth.
Izzy Farrow
YALE UNIVERSITY
Hi! My name is Izzy Farrow, and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School (PVHS). I have a 4.93 weighted GPA, and I am an AP Scholar with Distinction. I have taken various courses in all the major departments at PVHS. I am a Secretary General for Model United Nations, a member of the PVIT Space Team, a defender for the varsity soccer team, a member of NHS and other department specific honor societies. This summer, I was an intern for The Boeing Company, where I worked with Boeing electrical engineers to design/build antennas. In addition to participating in PVHS's science research program for 4 years, I was a member of the Galapagos research team in the summer before my sophomore year. Outside of school, I play club soccer for Beach FC and play trumpet for Pacific Vision Youth Symphony, led by professional pianist and Grammy nominee maestro David Benoit. I have enjoyed every class I have taken, and I look forward to working with you!
Lainey Cote
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Hi! I’m Lainey and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I currently have a 4.8/4.0 GPA and am an AP Scholar with Distinction. My favorite subjects include Math, English, French, and Psychology. At school, I am the president of French Honor Society, vice-president of National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and co-founder of a club called Hope for Patients. I am involved in Mock Trial, Tradewinds, and Choreo dance. Outside of school, I volunteer with Las Niñas, tutor students in the Philippines, and work in Redondo Beach. In my free time, I love spending time with friends, baking delicious desserts, and blasting music in my car. I’m looking forward to meeting you all!
William Sasaki
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Hi! I’m Will Sasaki a senior at PV High School. I have a 4.93/4.0 GPA and am an AP scholar with distinction. Some of my favorite subjects are science and history. I am currently involved in Tri-M, MUN(Treasurer), Science National Honor Society (Board), CARE(Co-president), and National English Honor Society. I am also Principal Trumpet of our PVHS orchestra. Outside of school you can find me working at Big Island Eats and Shave Ice, cooking up a storm, or out with friends. I can’t wait to meet and work with you!
Alycen Kim
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
Hi! My name is Alycen Kim and I’m a senior at PV High. I have a 4.9 weighted GPA and I am an AP Scholar with Distinction. In school, I am the artistic editor of Tradewinds Literary Magazine and co editor-in-chief of The Point, our school newspaper. I am involved in CSF and NEHS, and I am also a board member on our school’s PVOW and CARE clubs. Outside of school, my main passion is painting/ drawing and I am currently working on my college art portfolio. I have won many awards and most notably, I was the Grand Prize winner of the 2020 West Basin “Water is Life” art contest. In my free time, I enjoy reading, shopping, and eating out with my friends!
Asha Timm
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Hi! My name is Asha and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I have a 4.93/4.0 GPA and am an AP Scholar with Distinction. At school, I am Secretary General for Model United Nations, Captain of the Varsity Tennis Team, VP of Speakers for Science NHS, and a Link Crew Leader. Additionally, I am the school student representative to the PVPUSD Board of Education. I also enjoy participating in science research. Outside of school, I am Co-President of the Los Amigos Charity Group and I work as a tennis coach. In my free time, I love going on hiking/food adventures with my friends, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and drinking boba tea.
Hannah Goharian
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Hi! My name is Hannah Goharian and I am a senior at PVHS with a 4.9/4.0 GPA. I have taken various AP and honors courses and I am an AP Scholar with Distinction. I am co-founder of a club called Hope for Patients, a member of several honor societies, and team manager for the varsity girls basketball team. Outside of school, I am a junior docent for Los Serenos at the PV Interpretive Center and like to volunteer my time helping low-income families. My favorite subjects in school are Psychology and English. In my free time, I enjoy playing piano, watching The Office, and eating zucchini strips. I'm excited to meet you all!
Steven Kaufman
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Hi! My name is Steven Kaufman and I am a senior at Palos Verdes High School. I have a 4.67 GPA and I am involved in many AP and honors courses. On campus I am involved in NHS, CSF, tennis; I am also a basketball team leader and I’m on the Be The Change executive board. Some of my favorite subjects include math, biology, and history, all of which I would love to tutor. Outside of school, I am part of a Los Hermanos group and have coached youth basketball for two years as a head coach. Some things I love to do in my free time are play basketball, hang out with my friends, and enjoy some great food around Palos Verdes and Torrance.
Scott Shimoyama
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Hey! My name is Scott Shimoyama and I am a senior at PV High. I have a 4.8 weighted GPA with a 4.0 unweighted. In school, I am the Sports Producer for the award winning Live From 205, I play basketball and tennis, I am the Club President of A New Chapter: Books for Better Use, and am involved in most of the honors societies that the school has to offer including Math, Spanish, Science, English, and NHS. Outside of school, I love spending time with friends, playing video games, and watching sports or tv shows!
William Bray
RICE UNIVERSITY
Hi, I’m William Bray, and I’m a senior at PVHS. I have a 4.9 weighted and 4.0 unweighted GPA, and I am an AP Scholar with Distinction. I received a 35 on the ACT, with perfect scores in the english and reading sections, though I’m still looking to improve. Besides being in National Honors Society, the Link Crew, and the board of SNHS, I am the president of the SEAC at PV, and I am the first chair viola in the Palos Verdes orchestra and the Pacific Vision Youth Symphony, as well as the 2nd chair violist in the All-Southern CA Honors Orchestra. I love science, and I will have taken 4 AP science courses by graduation. I also love history and music, and I received a perfect score on the MTAP test. Outside of school I volunteer at the Community Helpline and conduct neuroscience and biological research.
Ryan Hetchler
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Hello! I'm Ryan Hetchler. I am currently a senior at Palos Verdes High School. At school, I am on the water polo team and am a member of Mock Trial and Model Untied Nations. I am President of the Stock Investment Club where I am able to teach my peers about our local, national, and global financial system. In my free time I enjoy reading, watching basketball, and playing golf. My favorite classes, current and former, are Physics, English, and Social Studies. I look forward to working with all of you!
Keira Wang
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
Hi! I’m Keira and a Senior at PV High. I have a 4.9/ 4.0 GPA and scored a 1510 on my SAT. My favorite subject is history but also enjoy tutoring math and English. At school I’m a captain of the girls varsity golf team and am also part of Link Crew and NHS. Outside of school I’m either playing more golf or hanging out with friends.