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Alejandro Valadez

Hi, I'm

Alejandro Valadez

Sophomore at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy — aerospace, quantum computing, and competition math. I build small software tools, run experiments, and tutor the program that got me here.

IMSA Class of 2029PROMISE Scholar → TutorAerospace Engineering, Toulouse
View My Work Résumé

About Me

Alejandro Valadez

I'm a sophomore at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, and I got here on purpose. I joined IMSA's PROMISE program in 7th grade and spent the next three years in weekend sessions and summer internships working toward the academy — while commuting two hours a day to Jones College Prep, where I finished freshman year with a 4.0 unweighted GPA as elected Vice President of the Class of 2029. I now tutor 9th graders in the same PROMISE program I came up through.

I look at the world through economics and opportunity. I ran two seasonal businesses from 2023 through 2026 — shaved ice and caramel apples — and learned supply chains and margins the hard way. These days that curiosity goes into code: I build small tools that solve problems I actually have, like an MCP server that lets Claude read my Canvas coursework.

I also think leadership is defined by action. My “Avenues to Kindness” project partnered with a disability-independence organization to deliver 90 handmade cards to residents, and it earned the Tim Heneghan S.O.A.R. Award — one of two given in my graduating class.

What I Work With

PythonTypeScriptJavaScriptReact & Next.jsNode.jsGit & GitHubModel Context ProtocolExperimental designData analysisCompetition mathPolicy debate & speechSpanish — State Seal of Biliteracy

Projects & Experience

Engineering, software, research, service, and one small business — the things I've actually built and done.

Program
Aerospace Engineering in Toulouse
A month-long aerospace engineering program with CIEE in Toulouse, France, taught by three doctorate-level instructors in partnership with Airbus — spent in the city that builds the A350, studying the engineering behind it.

Summer 2026

AerospaceAirbus PartnershipToulouse, France
Software
Canvas LMS MCP Server
An MCP server that connects Claude to Canvas LMS, so I can ask what's due, pull up a rubric, or read instructor feedback in plain conversation — and submit work without leaving the chat. Covers courses, assignments, discussions, submissions, and reading .docx attachments.

Open source, MIT licensed

TypeScriptNode.jsModel Context ProtocolCanvas API
Source
Research
Runaway Ramps: Slowing Down With Science
A physics study modeled on highway runaway truck ramps. I built a ramp-and-RC-car rig and measured stopping distance across concrete, sand, gravel, and glass. Gravel stopped the car in 0.41 m; glass took 1.21 m — roughly three times farther — confirming that surface texture drives stopping distance.

IJAS State Exposition — Silver Award

Experimental DesignPhysicsData Analysis
Publication
Service
Avenues to Kindness
I partnered with a disability-independence organization to design and deliver 90 handmade cards to their residents. The project earned the Tim Heneghan S.O.A.R. Award — given to two students in my graduating class — and the IB Principled Learner Award for disability advocacy.

2 of 2 S.O.A.R. Award recipients

Community PartnershipDisability Advocacy
Entrepreneurship
Shaved Ice & Caramel Apples
Two seasonal micro-businesses I launched and ran from 2023 through 2026. Sourcing, pricing, and profit margins taught me more about supply chains than any textbook — and started an interest in markets and investing that I still keep up with.

Three seasons, self-run

OperationsPricingSupply Chain

More code — including a Python utility library and this site — lives on GitHub.

Honors & Awards

  1. 4.0 Unweighted / 4.8 Weighted GPA, Freshman Year

    Jones College Prep

  2. State

    Admitted, Class of 2029

    Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

    Illinois' statewide residential public academy for students advanced in mathematics and science; admitted for sophomore year.

  3. Regional

    Northwestern Policy Debate City Championship — Quarterfinalist

  4. Regional

    Student Video Team Math Contest — 1st Place

    Jones College Prep

  5. Regional

    Algebra 1 Contest — Selected Team Starter

    City of Chicago Math League

  6. School

    Elected Vice President, Class of 2029

    Jones College Prep

  7. State

    SEAMS Diligent Scholar Award

    Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

  8. State

    State Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish

  9. Tim Heneghan S.O.A.R. Award — Socially Active, Open-minded, Accountable, Respectful

    One of two recipients in the graduating class, for “Avenues to Kindness.”

  10. IB Principled Learner Award for Disability Advocacy

    Awarded for the “Avenues to Kindness” project.

  11. State

    98th Annual State Exposition — Silver Award

    Illinois Junior Academy of Science

    For independent research, “Runaway Ramps: Slowing Down With Science.”

  12. Regional

    75th Annual Chicago Exhibition of Student STEM Research — Advanced to State

  13. Regional

    Regional STEM Exhibition — Gold Award

  14. Local Science Fair — Gold Award

    Ebinger Elementary

  15. Nominated Student Government Association President

    Ebinger Elementary

  16. IB Open-Minded Student Award

Activities

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
2026 – present
  • IMSA PROMISE Program — Tutor, 9th grade
  • AEROspace Club (AERO)
  • Mu Alpha Theta — Mathematics Honor Society
  • IMSA Society of Engineers (ISE)
  • Qubit — Quantum Computing Club
  • Speech Team
  • Financial Empowerment Class (FEC)
  • IMSA Student Productions (ISP)
  • Alma Latina
Jones College Prep
2025 – 26
  • Student Government Association — Class of 2029 Vice President
  • IMSA PROMISE Program — Student, 2023–26
  • Math Team
  • Artificial Intelligence Leaders
  • Engineering Club
  • Rocketry Club
  • Debate Team
  • Future Business Leaders of America
  • Red Cross Club
  • Mexican American Cultural Exploration and Expression
  • Formula 1 Fan Club
Middle School
2023 – 25
  • Science Fair — 2024–25
  • Student Government Association — 2023–25
  • MYP Community Projects — 2024–25
  • Stage Manager, Beauty and the Beast Jr. — 2024–25
  • Stage Manager, The Lion King Jr. — 2023–24
  • World Club — 2023–24
  • Soccer and basketball teams, Ebinger Elementary

Get In Touch

Have a question, an opportunity, or something to build? Reach out.

Email Me GitHub LinkedIn