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: UCLA.

Question 2: What will you major in?
A: Pre-mathematics.

Question 3: What were some notable setbacks you encountered during your high school career and how did you overcome them?
A: Alright, so COVID-19 and being fat was one of them. I was super fat during my freshman and sophomore years. My hardest class was PE in my sophomore year. Like, that was kind of crazy. I overcame it by going on a diet and exercising.

Question 4: What was one of your most memorable experiences in high school?
A: Probably junior year homecoming or my dissections that I did in [Advanced Placement Biology] class. I just think it’s interesting; some people think it’s gross, but I think it’s cool seeing all the insides and everything.

Question 5: How do you think beginning high school through distance learning positively or negatively impacted your high school journey?
A: It was positive because all my classes were easy and I could play games during class. But it’s negative because this transition into next year was harder. I didn’t really learn anything. Like nothing was cemented into my memory.

Question 6: What is your biggest regret in high school?
A: I [have] no regrets.

Question 7: What advice about school would you give your freshman self if you were to start high school again?
A: Some sacrifices aren’t worth it. Like, I wouldn’t sacrifice sleep over a small homework assignment. Why? Because it just doesn’t matter. Like the big scheme, you know? Like, I’d rather get those one extra or two extra hours of sleep. 

Question 8: What class threatened your valedictorian status the most?
A: My junior year AP [English] Language [and Composition] class with Mr. [Randy] Oudega because on my first-semester final essay, he gave me 70% which made my grade a B. Then, after winter break he let me do it again because he couldn’t read my handwriting.

Question 9: What are your career aspirations and/or activities you want to be involved in at college?
A: I want to be a general surgeon and since I’m going to UCLA, I want to be a part of pre-med-oriented extracurriculars and clubs.

Question 10: What would you say was the most rewarding aspect of being valedictorian?
A: I was proud of myself. It’s just like you know the bragging rights, the ego. I’m the first valedictorian in my family.

Question 11: What was your favorite class in school?
A: Junior year AP Bio [Biology] with Mrs. [Kelly] Kim. The teacher is super nice, super chill and you can just like have a casual conversation with her. I just feel disconnected with other teachers. A lot of my classmates are some of my closest friends now. And I just had a really fun time with all the activities I did, and I learned a lot. I just like the subject as well. But like the teacher and the environment has made it so much better.

Question 12: Who was a mentor who helped you throughout your academic journey?
A: Me, myself and I. I don’t really have a mentor. I plan out my stuff. I just like finding out what I need to do, what I need to get, what I like, how I need to do it. I just plan my own path.

Question 13: What is a study habit that you would recommend to someone else?
A: Studying is doubting your own potential. I legit haven’t studied except for AP tests because that’s like the whole year. I went home and did my homework. I guess homework was a form of studying. And because I did the homework, I remember what I learned and then I play games. If you do that, you don’t need to study. Don’t study because studying is doubting your potential. You know? You don’t want to doubt yourself.

Question 14: What is something you look forward to the most after graduating?
A: UCLA food because I’m a fatty. UCLA is the No. 1 public university and has the No. 1 fast food in the entire country. I went on the tour, and the food there looked so good. That’s the only thing I look forward to — all I want to do is eat. Also, [I want to be] a general surgeon, but food is more important than that.