Q: What grade you are in?

A: I am in 12th grade at Emmaus High School.

Q: What is your favorite subject? Why?

A: My favorite subject is philosophy. We often forget to question our existence and analyze the most important aspects of life, such as morals, ethics and character. Philosophy has taught me to take a step back and to think freely.

Q: Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A: I have received a modest amount of awards and recognition in the past few years; however, none compares to what my first grade teacher, Mrs. Clark, gave me. When I was younger, I enjoyed riddles and lateral thinking puzzles. After noticing my interest, Mrs. Clark encouraged me to continue thinking outside the box by providing me with additional challenges in class. After winning a competition, I received a special package from Mrs. Clark containing a new challenging puzzle book and a congratulatory note with best wishes for future success. No certificate, medal or trophy has ever meant more to me.

Q: Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?

A: I am the president of EHS’s Math League and am captain of the competitions we attend. I am also a co-captain of Emmaus’s academic team and participate in PBS 39’s “Scholastic Scrimmage” television series, where our team won first place last year earning a scholarship for the school. I’ve been on the varsity debate team and I also compete in computer science competitions.

Outside of school, I am a part of Lehigh University’s American Regions Math League team which trains for international competitions such as the Princeton University Math Competition, Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, ARML itself and the “Who Wants to be a Mathematician?” competition. I play the piano, ski, research, code programs, run the Lehigh Math Circle and also like to acquire interesting talents such as juggling, ambidexterity and card counting (poker anyone?).

Q: What is your next goal after high school?

A: After high school, I will pursue a degree in either neuroscience or engineering with a minor in computer science.

Q: What would you say your biggest challenge has been so far?

A: My biggest challenge has been forgetting to look at the big picture in life.

Q: What do you want to be remembered for?

A: I want to be remembered for being an approachable and trustworthy person.

Q: Who is in your family?

A: My father, Neeraj; my mother, Meetu; and my brother, Ishaan.

Q: Do you have someone you look up to?

A: First, Elon Musk, for his visions, passion, philanthropy and leadership. Musk is undoubtedly one of the coolest people alive today with an arsenal of ideas ready to revolutionize the world. In fact, he has an entire Twitter account to share them, @BoredElonMusk.

I also look up to Rowan Atkinson, more commonly known for playing the television character Mr. Bean. Atkinson has a degree in electrical engineering and has even heroically saved his family from a plane crash! Despite his intellect, he chose to pursue a career in comedy, providing laughs and impacting others on a daily basis.

Q: Do you have any advice for your peers?

A: Forget what everyone says about school being competitive. School isn’t a Social Darwinism experiment or a climb to have the highest GPA or even have the most extravagant resume. Please don’t sabotage others to rise to the top. Rather, make friends, have laughs and help each other out. We’re all in this together. It’s amazing what you can learn from others, both socially and academically.