Feature

20 Questions for Top of the 2020 Class: Samuel Kho stays organized while graduating at the top of his class

Aaliyah Magana, News Editor

May 26, 2020

Senior Samuel Kho is one of the 12 valedictorians in the Class of 2020. Image posted with permission from Samuel Kho.

In lieu of our senior print issue, The Accolade has decided to conduct a Q and A with each of the 12 valedictorians for online posting.

Question #1: What are your plans after high school?

Answer: Johns Hopkins Neuroscience/Physics Research. See if I can get the Woodrow Wilson Grant.

Question #2: Which extracurriculars and clubs have you been a part of?

A: International Baccalaureate junior year, Science Olympiad, Chess club, Engineering Pathways to Innovation and Change [EPIC] freshman year, Vietnamese Cancer Society, St. Jude Volunteer

Question #3: How do you feel as one of the 12 valedictorians?

A: Happy that my parents can be proud

Question #4: How do you feel about the second semester of our senior year and graduation being canceled?

A: Unfortunate but understandable. The health and wellbeing of people are a priority.

Question #5: What or who motivated you the most during high school and why?

A: I was genuinely interested in what was being taught. Became more of a habit to get good grades. Not much to stress about if I happened to not meet expectations, but I tried my best.

Question #6: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A: Working as a resident.

Question #7: What was the most challenging in the four years of high school?

A: Not putting too much on my plate. There are so many things that one wants to do but not enough time.

Question #8: Which class was the most threatening to your valedictorian status?

A: Advanced Placement [AP] Lang Mr. Wiegman

Question #9: What has been the highlight of high school?

A: Science Olympiad getting into states.

Question #10: Describe your high school experience in three words

A: Blink of eye

Senior Samuel Kho is holding a picture of his father while the same gown to carry on tradition. Image posted with permission from Samuel Kho.

Question #11: Complete the sentence: “I will always remember…”

A: Mr. Fenstermaker’s spoon

Question #12: What was your favorite class?

A: AP Chemistry

Question #13: What will you miss most after you graduate?

A: Home and grandma’s cooking

Question #14: Did you have senioritis?

A: Yes

Question #15: What is your greatest achievement during high school

A: Science Olympiad states

Question #16: How have you changed since freshman year?

A: More knowledge

Question #17: Out of all your years in high school, which one was your favorite and why?

A: Freshman year nostalgia with fewer worries

Question #18: A senior quote

A: What we learn with pleasure, we never forget (or just harder to forget).

Question #19: A word of advice for underclassmen

A: A little bit of pre-planning goes a long way.

Question #20: Would you like to thank anyone? Final words?

A: I would like to thank all of my teachers, parents and grandmother for putting up with me.

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About the Contributor

Aaliyah Magana, News Editor

Senior news editor Aaliyah Magaña has been a dedicated staff reporter on The Accolade staff since 2018. Last summer, Magaña graduated from the 2019 California Scholastic Press Association summer workshop in hopes of strengthening her reporting and writing. Magaña has been volunteering in Eastside Christian Church’s daycare centers for almost two years. After graduating from Sunny Hills High School, she plans to pursue a career in journalism and hopefully work for a local newspaper.