High school student makes a difference through dedication to serving others

Maddox K. Murphy, a senior at BASIS Independent Upper School in Brooklyn, is having a successful year. “I’ve been primarily focused on completing my college applications, but aside from that, I’ve been enjoying my final days of high school,” he shared.

Living in the Financial District of Downtown Brooklyn, Maddox appreciates the neighborhood’s convenience and accessibility, which he says is one of his favorite aspects of the area.

“There are six different subway lines, all within a five-minute walk, which makes getting around quite seamless. Moreover, the amount of food options near me makes living in this historic part of NYC much more enjoyable,” he added.

There is no varsity swim team at the school, so it may surprise many that he has been swimming competitively for the past 10 years and is very passionate about it.
Murphy is of mixed heritage. “My mother’s side of the family comes from Hungary and Poland. My maternal grandfather immigrated to the U.S. in the 1940s, while my maternal grandmother was born in the U.S. My father’s side is African American, Italian, and Irish,” he explained.

Music has been the most significant influence on Murphy’s career path, and his musical taste is not limited to a single genre. “This interest expanded into my love of DJing and led to the creation of my entertainment firm, Arrow D.J. Group. I hope to continue this interest in college and beyond,” he said.

Murphy’s experience with community service started in middle school through his membership in the
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). He said starting with NJHS made transitioning into the National Honor Society (NHS) in the 10th grade easy.

“Throughout the last three years, I have engaged in and out of school service ranging from helping teachers and administrators and serving as a student ambassador for prospective students to tutoring and creative assistance through the Red Hook Art Project,” stated Murphy.

As a junior in the last school year, he was elected president of the NHS Chapter at the school.
Since then, he has helped organize the annual NHS chapter event, World Fest, which celebrates the various cultures and communities making up the school’s student body.
Murphy and his other NHS Chapter members also plan to host a fundraising auction in collaboration with the Red Hook Art Project later this year.

“I am extremely proud of how far we’ve come as a chapter, and I am happy that I could be a part of expanding interest in community service and increasing club membership exponentially,” he continued.

Murphy added that the reaction to his contributions from the community has been stellar. “We’ve seen an incredible boost in membership and plan to host many more service events, including the fundraiser auction.”

Murphy’s heart is happy when his mother makes pancakes, waffles, and cookies from scratch, and to him, there’s nothing better.
“Academically, I plan to maintain a high caliber of achievement and cross the finish line by attending one of my top university choices. Service-wise, I plan to continue to increase membership, plan events, and prepare the future leaders of the NHS for the challenges ahead. Personally and professionally, I plan to continue to expand my entertainment company,” he stated.