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AUG. 14, 2025—Two Pal-Mac students recently took part in an experience that blends research, writing, and future-readiness.

Students Kareem Afify and Jonas Henley attended the International Baccalaureate (IB) Essay Camp at SUNY Geneseo at the end of July.

The duo joined 22 other students from several regions and states for three and a half days of research.  Topics included NBA fashion,  Ida B Wells, Nixon's War on Drugs, the evolution of the peace symbol, Rochester's history in music and education, and many more.  

Afify is conducting research into several popular filmmakers and authors, and Henley is conducting a lab experiment on algae from Honeoye Lake. Students presented “elevator pitches” on their topics to the Geneseo faculty, and the professors gave small group lessons and one-on-one coaching sessions to the students.

Among the writing coaches selected for the experience was Pal-Mac High School IB Teacher Rebecca DeSol. DeSol was among four other teachers from across the region selected. She says this was the university’s first-ever essay camp.

“It was an incredible experience for these two students, and I'd love for everyone to know just how motivated they are and how proud I am of them,” DeSol said.

But the project didn’t end when the camp ended. Over the course of two years, each student will turn their research into a 4,000-word essay on the topic of their choice, an independent requirement for the IB Diploma.  

In addition to work on the essay, DeSol said the students were exposed to life on a college campus. They stayed in the dorms, ate their meals in the dining hall, attended lectures on AI and ethics, socialized, and took in the famous Geneseo sunset every evening. 

Both Afify and Henley will be seniors this year and are hoping their IB work will garner the attention of their prospective college choices.

DeSol says Geneseo aims to double the size of its essay camp next year.

 

Click here to learn more about the IB program at Pal-Mac.