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: Computer engineering.

Question 3: What’s your favorite movie or TV show and why?
A: Favorite TV show is “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” It’s my favorite because the show seems like an action show, but there is a lot of depth in the characters.

Question 4: Are there any quotes you live by that guided you through your academic journey?
A: “It is what it is” is a quote that guided me. It helps me get over my failures.

Question 5: What extracurricular activities or hobbies did you enjoy in high school, and how did they complement your academic success?
A: Working with electronics helped with trouble shooting with computers and challenged what I can do and not do.

Question 6: What subject did others find hard, but in your opinion was the easiest for you?
A: Sophomore year AP [Advanced Placement] Computer Science A was easier for me since I already knew computers.

Question 7: What extracurricular activity did you struggle to balance with your grades?
A: Robotics: very time consuming, eight hours preparing robots which led to challenges.

Question 8: What did you sacrifice to maintain your grades?
A: During freshman year and sophomore year, I didn’t hang out with friends a lot and missed out on interacting with them.

Question 9: How did your surrounding friends/family support you throughout your high school years?
A: They were willing to support me and be there for me to help me back on my feet.

Question 10: Who is one teacher you are thankful for/ look up to and why?
A: Mr. [Thomas] Butler. He is able to balance the class very well, [it was] challenging and also entertaining.

Question 11: What is one study habit you recommend to underclassmen?
A: Make sure to study way before the test day.

Question 12: What is one advice you would tell your freshman self?
A: Enjoy life more; don’t stress too much about school.

Question 13: How did you discover what you wanted to major in college?
A: In middle school, I was placed in the computer science classes. At home I would often mess around with electronics; I really enjoyed doing that.

Question 14: If you had to go back to any moment of your life when would it be?
A: Freshman year during zoom — [I had] lots of freedom.

Question 15: What career do you eventually want to have in the future?
A: Computer hardware engineer, consumer electronics company.