Michelle Belakh

Senior at Stuyvesant High School with a 4.0 GPA, fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish. Her experience spans linguistic research, editorial writing, government internships, and community leadership. Passionate about the study of language structure, discourse analysis, and sociolinguistics, she is pursuing a major in Linguistics to explore how language shapes culture, cognition, and civic life.

Highest-scoring incoming college student worldwide in the 2025 LegalEagleBee Judicial Case Competition.

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Highlights

Government & Research Experience:

  • Four legislative internships across NYC; 2025 Assemblyman William Colton intern focusing on tax-foreclosure case research and digital-engagement strategy.

  • Highest-scoring incoming college student worldwide, 2025 LegalEagleBee Judicial Case Competition.

Languages:

  • Fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish;

  • Experienced in cross-cultural communication and linguistic analysis.

Linguistics & Academic Leadership:

  • Vice President, Binghamton Academic Hall — oversee academic programming for 400+ students and liaise weekly with the Binghamton College Council.

  • Participant, Binghamton Linguistics Club — engage in syntax, phonology, and discourse-analysis workshops.

  • Opinions Writer, Binghamton Pipe Dream Newspaper — publish commentary on culture, language, and society.

Top Academics:

  • 4.0 GPA; AP Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Commended Scholar;

  • UPenn Microeconomics Course — Certificate of Completion (2025).

Experience Snapshot

Legislative & Analytical Work:

  • Led 2025 research internship for Assemblyman William Colton: analyzed a first-of-its-kind tax-foreclosure case using DOF and HPD records and drafted enforcement recommendations.

  • Developed a digital-engagement strategy for NYS Assembly office (CTAs, community polls, hashtag structuring, and event-based content).

  • Completed four prior internships with Councilman Brannan and NY State Senators, contributing to policy briefs and constituent casework.

Editorial & Linguistic Work:

  • Opinions Writer for Binghamton Pipe Dream, producing analytical essays and linguistic-themed commentary.

  • Active member of the Binghamton Linguistics Club, contributing to discussions in phonology, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistics.

  • Founder, Ukrainian Aid Committee — coordinated delivery of 450+ relief items.

  • Founder, Bridges to Hispanic Heritage — led cultural-exchange Spanish-immersion workshops.

Humanitarian & Cultural Initiatives:

Activities & Leadership

Spanish National Honor Society

Peer tutor and cultural‑event organizer.

U.S. Senate Youth & Government Semifinalist

Debated federal legislation at state conventions.

Varsity Rhythmic Gymnastics & Coach

Mentor young athletes, plan training cycles, judge local meets.

Volunteer — Alice Tien for Civil Court

Voter outreach and event staffing.

Binghamton Academic Hall — Vice President

Plan and facilitate academic events for 400+ students; serve as liaison to the Binghamton College Council.

Binghamton Linguistics Club — Participant

Engage in linguistic analysis, theory workshops, and collaborative discussions.

Binghamton Pipe Dream — Opinions Writer

Write editorial pieces on linguistics, culture, and public discourse.

Skills

Linguistic & Analytical Skills

Linguistic analysis (syntax, semantics, discourse), research synthesis, argumentation, editorial writing.

Soft Skills

Event planning, public speaking, bilingual communication, team leadership.

Policy & Research

Constituent casework, legislative analysis, briefing & memos, issues research.

Technical

Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, transcription tools, basic data organization.

Next Goals

  • Major in public policy with a concentration in health equity.
  • Intern with a city Department of Health community‑outreach team.
  • Scale Ukrainian Aid Committee into a student‑run nonprofit delivering quarterly shipments.

Gallery

Michelle Belakh