The theater is full of students waiting to hear the announcements from Chris Singler. He walks up casually to the microphone and announces, “Maia Weintraub has won yet another tournament!” The theater is filled with applause.

Fencing has always been a big part of Maia’s life. Both of her uncles on her dad’s side had fenced, and when Maia was eight years old, they suggested she try it out. After joining a fencing community, she enjoyed the company and made friends at the clubs very quickly. As she continued to practice, she found that she had a talent for fencing which drove her to practice more frequently and more intensely. Fencing is now integrated into her daily life, starting at 9:30 am when she wakes up to run. She attends school on a normal schedule but travels to New York three days a week after school to practice at her club, not returning home until around 10:30 pm. This routine has since been disrupted because of the pandemic, but Maia expresses that it has given her the chance to really think about where fencing fits into her life. She realizes after missing out on practice how much she misses the sport of fencing as well as the community. “It is a bigger part of me than I thought it was,” she says.

Even with a busy schedule, Maia always brings her best to the school community. According to Matthew Rosen, her advisor and English teacher, she has been a “lovely student.” She completes all her assignments thoroughly and on time, while also bringing a lively attitude to her classes. “Regardless of whether she’s just returned from Eastern Europe on the red-eye or is getting ready to commute all afternoon on the train to New York for fencing practice – after a long day of school – she will engage with you, share something friendly and kind, and greet you with a smile,” says Matthew.  “It’s remarkable.”  

Maia is excited to contribute the same energy to the next community she joins after graduation. She has always appreciated the people who have helped her succeed and she wants to give back. Her interest in science has also contributed to her decisions regarding the future. She hopes to combine her scientific interests with her desire to give back and possibly become an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in child athletes. She has experienced many injuries herself and is grateful for the people who have helped her recover. This would also allow her to keep sports as an integral part of her life. 

Maia is a well-rounded individual with many interests, and she is always willing to try new things. She is naturally athletic, and that doesn’t just apply to fencing. Jessie Littman ‘21, one of Maia’s friends, remembers, “she would always win when we played World Cup (a soccer game) on the roof in middle school.” Two other friends of Maia’s, Chloe Abramowitz, a former student at Friends Select, and Carly Seigel ‘21, also recall times when Maia’s general athletic abilities have shined through. Maia says that she wishes she had a chance to be on other sports teams in addition to fencing. With increased free time due to the pandemic, she even hoped to join the soccer team for fun. However, Maia’s athleticism doesn’t stop at just sports. “We also learn a lot of dances,” says Jessie. “She’s way more coordinated than I am.” Maia picks things up quickly and enjoys sharing the new things she learns with others. 

Maia also loves food. “If I had the money, I would get her unlimited bubble tea and sushi,” says Chloe. Maia also likes to cook and share her creations. She has recently undertaken fried rice as a culinary challenge. Maia continues to develop new interests and skills, which is a defining quality of hers that is recognized by multiple close friends.

Some of her friends, like Carly and Jessie, mention that she is such a generous person in many ways. Whether it be a homework assignment that you don’t understand or a personal problem that has been bothering you, she is always willing and eager to help. She provides an optimistic spirit that is “positive and solution-oriented,” says Jessie. She is incredibly encouraging, but she isn’t afraid to give constructive criticism and loves sharing her opinion. She will taste food, preview a presentation, watch a dance, or make an outfit, all with the intention of furthering others’ growth. “She is just a genuinely kind person. Baked goods remind me of Maia,” Jessie says. “Maybe it’s because she’s sweet like a cupcake.”

Most of us have attended Friends Select with Maia and seen her in the hallways with her warm smile, but not everything about her is immediately apparent. Multiple people make note of Maia’s modesty: it’s one of the things that makes it so difficult to realize her extensive achievements in fencing or her personal life. “She never brags,” says Carly. She doesn’t even make it a habit to lift herself up. If other people in the community didn’t continually celebrate her achievements, we might not know about them at all.