October 18, 2005 One of the only things I remember from chemistry is the formula for photosynthesis: carbon dioxide + water = glucose. In this equation, two very different compounds come together to create something unique. Alex is the product of a similar equation. He is first and foremost a serious student, a passionate, political historian and an articulate master of debate. Yet, on the other side of the plus sign, there lies someone who relishes in the freedom of nature and the power of individualism. These two sides create a truly unique, mature, seventeen year-old student. It is my pleasure to recommend Alex Kasparian. When Alex spoke in my American Literature class, everyone listened. His intelligence and insight earned him the immediate respect of his peers, while his ability to communicate his ideas effectively almost always influenced the opinions of those around him. He is able to use his vast knowledge of current events and history in order to make connections about any piece of literature being read in class. During our reading of The Crucible, he created a poster that revealed Miller's underlying warnings about the corruption of power and the strength of fear in our society. He was able to explain this to his classmates within the context of the play and the many other examples in history of societies that have fallen victim to hysteria and fraudulence. It often seemed as though Alex had a library in his head, constantly able to sift through this vast collection of knowledge spanning disciplines and time periods. These skills were reflected in every writing assignment he submitted. His control of language is precise and deliberate. Whether arguing for the election of his chosen candidate or philosophizing on the nature of truth in Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, Alex's writing is like glass: clear and fluid. The phrase, "beautifully said" could have been a stamp for the number of times I wrote it in the margins of his papers. However, his strict exactness is paralleled by his non-conformist beliefs about his world. Alex once wrote in a reflective paper that his most cherished object is his set of car keys: a symbol of autonomy and freedom. Although some may see him as reserved and studious, he is also sentimental and reflective. He wanted Daisy to leave Tom for Gatsby in order to find true love; he recognized O'Brien's symbol of goodness in his character, Kiowa, where others saw only war and death; he runs for the Cross Country team mostly to spend time in his mind amidst the solace of nature. He is an individualist, willing to go against society's conventions in order to remain true to his own interests, passions or morals: an anomaly in the halls of a high school. It is always a luxury to have a student in class, like Alex, who is intellectual and perceptive. However, he brings more to the table than his academic strengths. He brings questions, compassion, ideas that make one step back and consider things all over again. Alex Kasparian is both a constant and a catalyst; your institution will undoubtedly benefit from his chemistry.