AKHIL CHALLA: IB VALEDICTORIAN

GPA: 8.78

When did you realize you were going to be in the top two of your class? How did you react?

I didn’t necessarily know I was in the running until this year, where I knew around 3 students other than me were in the running. I only found out I was in the top 2 once my principal told me I was the valedictorian. I was shocked and happy.

What’s something you wish you knew about high school before entering 9th grade I wished I knew that the IB program would be excruciatingly difficult i junior and senior year, but I am satisfied with hw things turned out. The program was difficult bause of the sheer amount of content and workload, and in the Diploma programme I took Economics, Physics, English, Spanish, Math, and History. Due to the IB program I have credits in History with other credits hopefully coming in July when my IB scores are out.

What is your favorite high school memory?

Going to Spiderman: No Way Home at a theatre in Riverview called Xscape Theatre. I went with my friends and it was an exhilarating experience. I have also seen all the other Spiderman movies.

What is the most important lesson you learned (from a teacher or another student) while in high school?

That an award or distinction in society isn’t what you need to gain education for, but to make the world a better place. I learned this from the entirety of my experiences in high school, but my parents did have a much more profound effect on that lesson.

What extracurricular activities did you participate in and why?

I participated in Robotics, worked as a Mathnasium tutor, went to Karate classes and volunteered at AdventHealth. I participated in these activities because I enjoyed all of them and found them interesting.

What are your college plans and future career goals?

My interest in neurology and to be a doctor led me to a career in Psychiatry. I plan to go to UF on the pre-med track and aim to become a Psychiatrist in the future. I also applied to USF and FSU but settled on UF.

What advice would you give students who want to be valedictorian or salutatorian?

While it is a great honor to be a valedictorian, don’t completely overlook the other high school experiences and achievements that make you a better person and may help you in your college applications.