Whiz Kid: Miller Place Senior Dennis Burgner

Name: Dennis Burgner, age 17

School: Senior at Miller Place High School 

Accomplishments: In the fall, Dennis will be heading to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, located in New York City, to major in chemistry.  He has been on the high honor roll for each year of his high school career, taking eight Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses.  He was the recipient of the Excellence in Dual Language Award for two consecutive years, as well as the Excellence in A.P. Chemistry Award.  He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Foreign Language Honor Society and the Service Club.

Dennis began playing the viola in the third grade and has continued through his senior year of high school, participating in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) competiton each year for the past eight years.  In addition to playing the viola in the school district's orchestra programs, he has played concerts for Sound Beach Music.  Dennis has been taking tap and hip hop lessons at the Long Island Academy of Dance.  He has performed in numerous drama productions as a member of the Miller Place Panther Players, including Fiddler on the Roof, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Almost Maine and One Acts (in Check Please and This is a Test).  He has also been an avid thespian with the Mount Sinai Summer Theater Arts Program, performing in six productions through the years.

Dennis has volunteered his time with the Dig Pink breast cancer fund raiser, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and with the school blood drives. He works at the Heritage Center at the Wedge in Mount Sinai.  A big fan of the Vlogbrothers and their "Don't Forget to be Awesome" catchphrase, this senior is considering pursuing a career in chemical research.