It started with a paper airplane.
During her freshman year of college, Anaqhelly Cisneros was asked to design a paper airplane. She said that was when she first felt like an engineer and knew what career she wanted to pursue. Today, Cisneros is employed as an avionics engineer for Boeing Commercial Airlines in Everett, WA. On Dec. 2, the 2015 graduate returned to New Rochelle High School to speak to members of the Math Honor Society she once led.
After graduating, Cisneros went to Dartmouth College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 2019 and a master’s degree in engineering management in 2020. She is currently working on ways to mitigate interference from 5G networks with aircraft systems. Her work is critical to ensuring accurate altitude readings during flight.
Math Honor Society members peppered Cisneros with questions during her visit. They were particularly interested to know if she had always planned to pursue avionics. Cisneros explained that engineering had always been meaningful to her, and avionics cemented that feeling.
Cisneros' professional journey resonated with honor society members.
"Knowing a Math Honor Society alum and former executive board member went on to not only use math in her everyday life, but also work in a math-heavy field, gave me hope for my future career plans," said one student.
Another said, "Learning about her journey as a Latina in STEM helped me feel confident in my future."
In her personal life, Cisneros said she was a passionate marathon runner. She often trains with her dog, Max, and she completed her first marathon in Hawaii. Now, she said, she is determined to discover new running routes in the Pacific Northwest.
Members of the Math Honor Society, advised by Kalpana Daniel, pursue mathematical excellence at their weekly meetings, spread knowledge via peer tutoring, tackle challenging mathematics problems with innovative solutions, and foster a supportive learning environment throughout the building. The program allows students enrolled in any math course - from Algebra I to AP Calculus BC - to feel confident in their studies with the guidance of an encouraging and skilled academic mentor to help them along the way.