Q. In what grade are you currently enrolled?

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

Q. Please provide the first names of your family members: parents, siblings and pets.

A. I am an only child and live with my wonderful parents, Devangi (mom) and Jigar (dad) Shah.

Q. What is your favorite subject? Why?

A. Physics and mathematics are my two favorite subjects because I have had the pleasure of learning from two amazing teachers at EHS. Both teachers engage the students in innovative ways and they boosted my knowledge and love of these subjects. Mr. Ohl, my physics teacher, has an interesting yet effective teaching style that has gotten me totally hooked on the subject. He challenges us with loads of labs and brain-busting problems. Solving these complex problems gives me the feeling of true accomplishment. After such an interesting course I cannot see the world the same anymore making nerdy comments on various things directly relating to knowledge I learned in physics.

Likewise, my fun and supportive math teacher Mr. Ruppert taught Advanced Calculus my junior year and continued to help me learn more advanced mathematics during my senior year. Once I had finished all mathematical credits including Multivariable Calculus, Mr. Ruppert inspired me to keep learning. He is the teacher who encouraged me to participate in a college-level Math Research Keystone Symposium Research Project at Kutztown University. I spent countless hours after school preparing for this project and came away feeling that I had learned a tremendous amount and developed stronger research skills.

I really admire and am grateful to both teachers for igniting my passion for physics and math. These teachers pushed me to think outside the box and encouraged me to apply myself in creative ways and broaden my horizons.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. In October 2022, I won first place in Kutztown University’s Keystone Symposium on Mathematics Research by High School Students. My research focused on Hamiltonian Mechanics. In middle school, I received the Mukul Mehta Excellence Award that recognized my talents in music, sports and good citizenship. I have also received Principal’s Honor Roll and Academic Excellence awards throughout my high school years, including the Spanish Academic Excellence Award in 2022. I was also nominated by my physics teacher and granted permission to join my school board to interview a new teacher. I was honored to gain such a role in my school community.

Q. Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? How has being involved in these organizations impacted your high school experience?

A. Fencing, along with my other hobby of playing violin, are my favorite extracurricular activities. They help me to relieve stress, to channel focus, and, above all, to actualize who I am as a person. The intensity of the movements and the rigorous practice demanded by these activities cultivates discipline, patience and mental focus. This also allowed me to participate in various school activities including cross-country, winter track and fitness team. I am also participating in the school’s tennis team this spring. The confidence and success I achieved in these pursuits led me to become more ardent about other intellectual quests. Without even realizing it, I started to apply myself more in my schoolwork, at my job as a ski instructor and as a volunteer at Lehigh Valley Hospital and at Ascend Hospice Center. While I was not always persistent before, I am now able to balance my life and schoolwork and consistently get A’s.

In addition, I am the treasurer of the Economics and Investments Club and also treasurer of the Earth Watch Club. I participate in an academic team and have competed in the NAQT High School Nationals in Atlanta with my team. I am vice president of the EHS Orchestra and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. I also play in the school’s sinfonia which is an audition based subgroup of the orchestra. I am a member of National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. These experiences gave me opportunities to embody leadership, responsibility, teamwork and, above all, the pursuit of learning.

Q. What do you consider your biggest challenge to date?

A. My biggest challenge to date has been getting in shape to run cross-country. I could barely run even short distances in the beginning of the season in my junior year. Slowly and surely, though, I worked up to running a full mile without breathing heavily. Soon my stamina, speed, and style were developing with help and guidance from coach Kami and my friends. After two months, I was able to run three miles without stopping. I found so much pleasure in seeing my progress that they further motivated my discipline. I felt an immense sense of accomplishment at my ability to take on a goal that challenged me tremendously, and yet stick to it at the same time.

To my surprise, I also won a race in my senior year. That was a moment of great pride in my life. Funny enough, it does not change the fact that I still despise every second of running, but I can appreciate and respect the discipline that goes into mastering something hard and the sense of pride at succeeding at it.

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. The future of health care, I feel, is a strong alliance between biotechnological advances with emphasis on holistic approach to compassionate care. So my goal after high school is to get a bachelor’s degree in a bioengineering field such as biomedical, pre-med or biotechnology that will take me closer to my dream of becoming a physician eventually.

Q. Whom do you admire? Why?

A. I admire my inspiring parents the most. Both my parents are smart, kind, fun, humble and caring. I know I can always rely on my parents for guidance and advice. They instilled in me great core values and a great work ethic. Thanks to them, I have traveled to 18 countries in 18 years of my life and have learned the value of money and the importance of a family-first mindset. They both have overcome challenges and still sustain a positive outlook on life. Their “never give up” and ”always learn new things” attitude is infectious. I am blessed to have them as my biggest cheerleaders and support system.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I would like to be remembered as a caring, funny and positive person who is always willing to help others. I believe others would agree that I am a very bubbly, reliable and friendly person. But in general I just want to be a positive memory that lingers in people’s minds for years to come.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. Pursue different activities, explore new things, stay focused, ask for help from friends and teachers alike, build each other up and enjoy high school life to the fullest. Never be afraid to try new things, especially within EHS. School offers such a huge variety of courses, clubs and opportunities that we often take for granted. Even if it’s something you are only remotely interested in, totally try it. You never know you might find a new passion or learn a new skill that helps you in the future.

You only go through high school once so take advantage of every field trip, school dance or sporting event that may come around. Like I said, you only have one shot at every experience so seize every opportunity that comes your way.