Class of 2014 Valedictorians and Salutatorians
Desh-Videsh congratulates all 2014 graduates! We wish them all a future filled with prosperity and meaningful opportunities. We are especially thrilled that so many of our young community members continue to excel and push themselves to be strong, talented leaders. Learn more about these Valedictorians and Salutatorians below
Saahil Jain
Valedictorian
School: University School Of Nova Southeastern University
Hometown: Davie, FL
GPA: 4.95
College: Columbia University
Major: Engineering
Parents: Charu and Sandeep Jain
Academic Awards: National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, Harvard Book Award, Risley Science Award,
Citizen-Scholar Award
Future job or position? I plan on pursuing a career within the field of science, most likely engineering. I believe that as an engineer, I can find solutions to global problems.
What is your favorite quote? “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”- Leonardo da Vinci
If you could have breakfast with anyone, who would it be and why? I would have breakfast with Mahatma Gandhi because his stance on non-violence was truly revolutionary.
Which issue (global or local) is close to your heart, and why? The process of reversing climate change and environmental destruction is close to my heart because I have always loved exploring nature.
What is your little-known talent? Doodling
Extracurricular Activities: Lincoln Douglas Debate, Science Fair, and Cross Country
Preksha Bhagchandani
Valedictorian
School: Pine Crest School Hometown: Parkland, FL
GPA: 5.02
College: MIT
Major: Bioengineering
Parents: Shobha and Lal Bhagchandani
Academic Awards: Intel STS Semifinalist, Intel ISEF Finalist and 3rd Award Winner, MIT Book Award, Cum Laude Society, National Merit Finalist, Beta Club, National English Honor Society, AP Scholar with Distinction
Future job or position? I hope to pursue a career in medicine, focusing on research in the field of biomedical engineering. My love for the sciences, especially biology and physics, combined with my inquisitive nature led me to discover my passion for scientific research as a member of the Pine Crest Research Program.
What is your favorite quote? “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” -Anonymous If you could have breakfast with anyone, who would it be and why? I would have breakfast with Marie Curie, the first female Nobel Prize winner who conducted novel research on radioactivity. I think her perspective on being one of the few women excelling in science during her time would be very interesting and could encourage more young girls to pursue an interest in the sciences.
Which issue (global or local) is close to your heart, and why? I believe that the negative impact of human activity on our environment, especially on the biodiversity of animal species, is an important issue that could escalate rapidly in the near future. As an animal and nature lover, the issue of endangered animals is close to my heart, and it is devastating to me that human carelessness could cause an entire species to disappear forever.
What is your little-known talent? Drawing and Painting
Extracurricular Activities: Pine Crest Orchestra, Florida Youth Orchestra, Pine Crest Research Program, Math Club, Indian Heritage Club, Bhangra, Tennis, Hospital Volunteer
Aditya Iyer
Valedictorian
School: Pembroke Pines Charter High
Hometown: Miramar, FL
GPA: 5.52
College: University of Michigan-Ross School of Business
Major: Finance and Mathematics
Parents: Uma Iyer and ubbu Krishnan
Academic Awards: Summa Cum Laude, AP Scholar, County Science Fair winner
Future job or position? I want to pursue a career in finance, specifically as an Investment Banker. I have always enjoyed learning mathematics throughout my schooling, and I have always found it interesting to follow the stock market. I feel managing the financial sector of various companies is what would best keep me engaged for the rest of my life as well as create a difference in the corporate world to expand businesses and in turn have a positive effect in many peoples’ lives.
What is your favorite quote? “Always keep an open mind and a compassionate heart” Phil Jackson
If you could have breakfast with anyone, who would it be and why? Warren Buffet. He is the best investor in the world and I would enjoy a firsthand account of his experiences and views.
Which issue (global or local) is close to your heart, and why? The tax rate is an issue since I have seen my parents and family work so hard, but taxes strip the chance of letting individuals expand their wealth or allocating it to what they want. I believe people should be given more freedom in regards to their income.
What is your little-known talent? Profitable Stock Trader
Extracurricular Activities: Mu Alpha Theta, Science Honor Society, Active Stock Trader, Memorial Hospital volunteer, FSCL
Cricket Player.
Sathvik Namburar
Valedictorian
School: Woodward Academy
Hometown: Duluth, GA
GPA: 4.95
College: Johns Hopkins University
Major: Molecular Biology (Pre-Med)
Parents: Ram and Viji Ramkumar
Academic Awards: 12th US Presidential Scholar—highest national distinction offered to graduating HS seniors 11th National Merit Finalist 9th – 12th Department Recognition Awards: Math (10th); Science (9th, 11th); Social Studies (12th) 11th National Honor Society inductee 11th Spanish Honor Society inductee 11th University of Rochester – Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award 11th University of GA Certificate of Merit (top 5% – class of 2014) 10th Governor’s Honors Program (GHP), participant (Mathematics major) 9th – 11th Foreign Language Association of Georgia (FLAG), Spanish Award (Superior rating)
Future job or position: Medicine because it is a noble, selfless profession. To quote Hippocrates, “Wherefore the art of medicine is loved, there also is love of humanity.” I take these words to heart and hope to positively impact lives through medicine.
What is your favorite quote? “One can make a difference. Be the one.”-Anonymous
If you could have breakfast with anyone, who would it be and why? Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt, who brought the country out of the depression and skillfully led it through WWII. I am inspired by his leadership style.
Which issue (global or local) is close to your heart, and why? Equal access to education. My mother is a teacher, and I have seen the benefits that a good education can provide.
What is your little-known talent? Violin player for over 12 years
Extracurricular Activities: Woodward Academy 9th -12th Math Competition Team, member 9th – 12th Academic Team, Captain (11th-12th); member (9th -10th) 9th – 12th Orchestra, Violin (since 1st grade); String machine (12th), Section Leader (12th) 9th – 12th Key Club, member Outside School 9th – 12th Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta, GA,
Isha Sharma
Salutatorian
School: Robinson Senior High School IB
Hometown: Tampa, FL
GPA: 8.08
College: UNC Chapel Hill
Major: Biomedical3 Engineering
Parents: Vinod and Bharti Sharma
Academic Awards: Physics Award Regional Science Fair, Smith College Book Award, 2nd Place SPIFFS Cultural Fair Spanish, Ought to be a Law, Principal’s Honor Roll , AP Scholar with Distinction, Numerous Solo and Ensemble Superior awards (Violin)
Future job or position: I would like to pursue a career in medicine. It is one of the best ways to benefit the lives of others on a large and personal scale.
What is your favorite quote? “ The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why” – Mark Twain
If you could have breakfast with anyone, who would it be and why? Elizabeth Blackwell, she was a pioneer in educating women in medicine and it would be interesting to hear the obstacles she had to face in becoming the first woman physician in the United States.
Which issue (global or local) is close to your heart, and why? A matter that is prevalent in many parts of the world is the abandonment of disabled children. Many children are abandoned due to their disabilities; thankfully, there are schools that take special care of them but there are not enough. This issue is close to my heart since I was a co-founder of a program called ‘The Jamaica Project’. I was able to witness the terrible conditions these children had to face and how one particular special school in Jamaica was able to make such a positive impact on these children for their development physically and mentally.
What is your little-known talent? Dancing
Extracurricular Activities: Mu Alpha Theta (President), Orchestra (Concert Mistress), Tri-M Music Honor Society (Vice President), Junior Statesmen of America (Secretary), Honor Council, Science Bowl Team, SSTP (Research program), Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra,Hospital volunteering, The Jamaica Project , Tennis
