61st Annual STS (2001–2002)
Finalists
Jessica Randi Stahl

NEW YORK
Jessica Randi Stahl, 17, of Rockville Centre, entered such an unusual behavioral and social sciences project in the Intel Science Talent Search that even her teachers expressed skepticism. A talented musician (clarinet and saxophone, first chair in South Side High School's wind, chamber and stage bands), dancer (jazz, tap, ballet), and an award-winning cheerleader, Jessica wanted to determine if one style of music could produce more expressive and freer movement than others. She believes the answer could have applications in dance/movement therapy for emotional as well as physical problems. For example, closed postures reveal a desire to be withdrawn, anxiety can cause massive muscle contraction, and open eyes and an outward gaze indicate a desire to interact with others. Jessica developed an original method for quantifying such body movements, something no previous researcher had achieved, then found one musical piece that was available in classical, rock, jazz, dance and reggae styles -- Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The most liberating style -- reggae. The daughter of Ira and Jayne Stahl, Jessica hopes to attend Harvard to prepare for a career in biological sciences.