Each month one lucky Gator is recognized for their contributions to Gateway. In some cases, it results in a certain line of laser-engraved coasters but this month’s Featured Gator is one who has truly affected all of our lives at Gateway, Oliver Crumrine.
Oliver has been recognized in almost all fields of endeavor Gateway has to offer. Mr. Kennedy summarized his accomplishments as encompassing, “The three As: Academic, Athletic, and Artistic.”
During his time at Gateway, Oliver has taken several high-level classes including AP Biology and AP Computer Science Principles, and he is currently enrolled in four more AP courses this year. Despite his heavy workload, he remains on Gateway’s Superintendent’s List every marking period.
He competes in the Latin Certamen knowledge bowl for Gateway every year and has received several New Jersey Junior Classical League awards for projects he’s submitted to their annual contests. During middle school, he represented Azerbaijan and Cuba for the Model United Nations class.
Oliver added, “My knowledge of the coronary artery helped me get a question right in Certamen.”
All of this on its own is extremely impressive. Mrs. Cross, Gateway Latin teacher remarked, “Oliver is brilliant. He’s a top notch student, always respectful, and very helpful.”
In addition, Oliver participates in various other activities. Mr. Kennedy called him, “A genuine and well-balanced individual.”
In this, he has accumulated knowledge in a variety of fields. “I never talk to Oliver and don’t learn something,” Mr. Kennedy said.
Outside of academics, he runs cross-country for Gateway and plays the saxophone in the Concert Band and Marching Band.
Perhaps the most intriguing thing about Oliver is his practice of black magic tech wizardry.
“Oliver’s technical background never ceases to amaze his teachers and peers,” Mr. Gehringer, who teaches the AP Computer Science courses, said.
Over the last summer, Oliver worked at the school to help with various technical upgrades, including setting up Chromebooks and to some degree the new Wi-Fi.
“Coding and technology have always interested me as a person,” Oliver explained.
Before literally working for the school, Oliver started coding with an HTML book at his elementary school library, originally trying to use Word to write it. Eventually, though, he grew into one of the most talented programmers in the school.
Steve Jobs didn’t invent the iPhone in a day. But Oliver did. When Mr. Abed lost his air conditioner’s remote, Oliver took the initiative to build a custom remote with a Pi Pico and Arduino C++.
Oliver says that coding is probably not a future career path for him, as he wants to keep it as a side hobby. Otherwise, he said he’s not sure at this time what he wants to go into yet, but he will probably follow the traditional path of college.
But one thing is clear. As one teacher mused, Oliver runs better than half the programs that the school uses. And that’s a good goal for all of us!
Additional reporting contributed by Justin Paredes.
