BevHacks 2025
Last Saturday, January 11, the fifth edition of BevHacks, Brearley's annual hackathon, brought together creative minds and cutting-edge ideas for an inspiring day of exploration and teamwork. Organized by the Technology Department in partnership with the Upper School Tech and Computer Science clubs, the event invited participants of all skill levels to dive into the world of technology, problem-solving, and design. This year’s attendees, hailing from across New York City and Connecticut, enjoyed thought-provoking keynote speeches, skill-building workshops, and a friendly competition that celebrated innovation.
The day commenced with a keynote address from Emma Yang (Brearley '21), whose remarkable achievements in computer science and AI left the audience inspired. Emma spoke passionately about her journey as a Harvard student, technologist, and advocate for women in STEM, sharing her experiences as a leader in quantum computing and her vision for a future driven by innovation and inclusion. In the evening, Humphrey Chen, CEO and Co-Founder of CLIPr, a video intelligence platform that assists police in fighting crime, delivered a compelling talk about the ethical applications of generative AI. Drawing on his extensive experience as a technology entrepreneur and leader at companies like Amazon and Verizon, Humphrey emphasized the importance of using AI responsibly to create meaningful solutions, leaving the audience with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.
Workshops provided an engaging blend of learning and creativity, catering to participants at different skill levels. In the beginner workshop, Jenny Z., joined by Claire H. and Waverly C., guided attendees through the process of building a simple website, helping them gain confidence in web development. Meanwhile, the intermediate workshop, led by Nora M., Beatrice L., Jelscha M. and Abigael A., introduced participants to the exciting world of artificial intelligence and machine learning, culminating in the creation of a chatbot. Both sessions offered hands-on experiences that encouraged exploration and sparked curiosity.
The hackathon competition showcased outstanding projects across multiple categories. Prizes were awarded for Best Beginner Hack, Best UX/UI, Best Overall, and, for the first time, Best Brearley Solution. A team led by Horace Mann students took home the Best Overall prize for their Wildfire Tracker solution, while Brearley students also excelled: Jane K. earned the Best Brearley prize for her Math Game, and the Class V "Terrific Terrells" team—Mila B., Eloise G. and Emmeline T.—won Best Beginner Hack for their Presidents Game solution.
A heartfelt thanks goes to everyone who made the event possible, including all the student volunteers, Brearley’s Facilities and Security teams, and our hackathon judges—Mr. Hwang, Dr. Garland, Ms. Donovan, and parent judge Ms. Mansur! Special recognition is owed to this year’s conference chairs, Alyssa Z. and Sophia L., for their exceptional leadership, vision, and organization.
BevHacks 2025 celebrated creativity, collaboration, and curiosity—a reminder of the incredible potential unlocked when students are empowered to explore and innovate.