The Class of 2024 produced 39 valedictorians, and The Accolade interviewed each to reflect on their high school journeys and thoughts. This is a full version of the Q&A, of which the preview is included in our May magazine issue. Any remaining full-version Q&A will be posted in alphabetical order throughout the week in the Feature section.

Question 1: Which university have you committed to?
Answer: University of California, Santa Barbara.

Question 2: What will you major in?
A: Actuarial science.

Question 3: What were some notable setbacks you encountered during your high school career and how did you overcome them?
A: In sophomore year, one of my friends had passed away and it distracted me throughout the year. I overcame this by finding a community and talking to friends to set aside what had happened.

Question 4: What was one of your most memorable experiences in high school?
A: I enjoyed getting food after the AP [Advanced Placement] tests, going to the gym and the Calc BC [AP Calculus BC] class.

Question 5: How do you think beginning high school through distance learning positively or negatively impacted your high school journey?
A: It didn’t impact me, as I was good at keeping connections through Zoom and other applications. I felt as if it impacted me positively, as I was able to take advantage of the online classes and the schedules.

Question 6: What is your biggest regret in high school?
A: My biggest regret was not making more connections and being outgoing.

Question 7: What advice about school would you give your freshman self if you were to start high school again?
A: Get involved, take advantage of opportunities, be yourself and get out of your comfort zone.

Question 8: What were some of your extracurriculars and leadership roles, if any?
A: President of a community service non-profit organization called Making an Impact and part of the band program for four years, being the trumpet and brass section leader.

Question 9: What class threatened your valedictorian status the most?
A: AP Psychology because of the memorization, and I didn’t have the drive to keep up with that stuff.

Question 10: What are your career aspirations and/or activities you want to be involved in at college?
A: Actuarial science major to try and open a lot of windows in the business world and make connections with a stable job where I can pursue my other career goals.

Question 11: What would you say was the most rewarding aspect of being valedictorian?
A: Enjoying that I did it with my friends [who have] been [with me] since kindergarten.

Question 12: What was your favorite class in school?
A: AP Calculus BC.

Question 13: Who was a mentor who helped you throughout your academic journey?
A: Mrs. [Shirley] Tan, Mr. [Thomas] Butler and Mr. [Andrew] Gartner.

Question 14: What is something you look forward to the most after graduating?
A: I look forward to going to a new place with new faces and making new connections and experiencing new things.