Valedictorian
Plano West Senior High School
GPA: 4.759
Where do you plan to attend college and what do you plan to major in?
I will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) this upcoming fall. Currently, I intend on majoring in computation and cognition, which is centered on the intersection of computer science and neuroscience.
What are your career plans after college?
After college, I am interested in pursuing a career in academic research or potentially entering the biotech space, where I can implement computational models to advance science, in spaces ranging from therapeutic development to disease diagnosis.
What school activities/clubs have you been involved in?
In school, I was actively involved in the Learning About Science and Engineering Research (LASER) Club, Computer Club, National Honor Society, and Statistics Club.
What Plano ISD teacher(s) impacted you the most and how?
Ms. Vashka Desai: As a science fair sponsor and the scientific, research and design (SRD) teacher at Jasper High School, Ms. Desai's guidance and insight helped me tremendously in conducting independent scientific research as well as communicating my ideas effectively.
Ms. Laura Liu: Ms. Liu's lessons at Rice Middle School made mathematics interesting and intuitive, and her endless support and encouragement helped me gain confidence to achieve success in competitive math contests like MATHCOUNTS and AMC.
Ms. Caitlin Bailey-Garafola: At Jasper High School, Ms. Garafola's dynamic lectures brought history to life and challenged me to think critically about the implications of important historical events.
Ms. Janeth Pak: Ms. Pak’s unique teaching style made learning the Spanish language fun and exciting at Rice Middle School, and her amusing anecdotes made the nuances of Spanish culture fascinating and engaging.
What is the most interesting school project/assignment you have been involved with?
The Explorer’s Expo project at Jasper High School required our group to role play as representatives of a historical nation state, aiming to convince “merchants” (our teachers) to visit our assigned country. From investigating Russian cuisine from the 1700s to building an intricate physical replica of a Tsar Cannon, the entire experience was memorable, fun, and fulfilling.
What is your favorite school memory?
My favorite school memory would probably be the time I got to spend with my peers during lunch and afterschool activities on-campus. From discussing highlights from our day to joking around about random memes, I've formed lasting memories and made so many friendships through the process.
What advice do you have for future high school graduates?
Actively seek out all opportunities and resources available to you on campus. From the wide array of clubs offered to the plethora of athletic and musical organizations, take advantage of the amazing opportunities available to you in order to explore new areas and follow your passions.
What have you learned about yourself during this historic senior year that you will apply to your future?
Through this senior year I, like other seniors, learned the importance of resilience in the face of uncertainty. No matter what obstacles the world put in our direction, from rigorous coursework to adapting to an altered schooling format, we overcame those hurdles through adjustment and grit. This is a mindset that I hope to carry along with me and apply to the future.
View the Plano West Senior High School 2022 Salutatorian.
