What advice would you give to younger students?
Don’t feel bad about standing out. It might seem daunting at first to go out of your comfort zone and do extraordinary tasks, but it’ll be very rewarding.
If you could give one piece of advice or knowledge to yourself as a freshman, what would it be?
It’s high school, you’re supposed to have fun, so don’t feel the need to do something just because you want it on your college application. Do things because you’re interested in them, not because you think it’ll make you look cooler.
Who inspired/encouraged/guided you throughout your journey at NBTHS?
Ms. Nudelman, my marching band director. She has taught me since 6th grade and has always believed in me and my potential. I am eternally grateful for how helpful she has been to me these past years.
What college are you planning to attend and what will be your major?
I am going to the Rutgers-New Brunswick Honors College and I will be majoring in Political Science.
What are your goals during and after college?
During college, I want to go to as many sports games as possible, either football, basketball, soccer, or anything else. At Rutgers, I’ll have a great opportunity to be on campus with so many teams and fans to watch them with, so I hope to indulge in those opportunities. After college, I aim to attend either graduate school or law school in the hopes of working for a government agency to serve my community.
What inspired you to want the honor of Salutatorian & Class President in your school?
Salutatorian: I wanted to prove to myself that I was a smart kid and that I could rise to the top of my class. I wanted my hard work to be paid off, and I’m so glad it did.
Class President: I knew I wanted to have my ideas heard for our school’s events and I wanted to help my other classmates get involved, so I ran for President.
Do you regret NOT doing anything in life so far?
Not to my knowledge. I’m happy with how my life has gone so far, and I’m proud of the risks I’ve taken.
What was your favorite memory of your time at NBTHS?
Going to all the football games as part of the marching band. Sitting in the stands, blowing my face off, and cheering the team on was so much fun, and it's why I want to join the Rutgers Marching Band, where I can keep doing it every week.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Working for either the government as a lawyer or another civil-service related occupation in Washington D.C. helping to better the lives of people and create progressive, meaningful change.
What struggles did you have getting to where you are in life now?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I struggled with my weight, so I set out to lose almost 30 pounds in the summer of 2020. I reached my goal, through a lot of hard work and mental strain, and now I’m at a great place. I am not only proud of my body, I feel confident in my abilities to grab control of my life and steer myself in the right direction.