ISSUE 3: Q&A: Meet The Valedictorians and Salutatorians of the Class of 2023

Get to know more about the top two students of IB and Traditional.

%28From+left+to+right%29+Rahul+Rajinthkumar%2C+Praveen+Prabaharan%2C+Isabella+Cuevas+and+Russell+Vifquain+in+their+senior+yearbook+portraits.+

Photo Courtesy of Cady Studios

(From left to right) Rahul Rajinthkumar, Praveen Prabaharan, Isabella Cuevas and Russell Vifquain in their senior yearbook portraits.

Vikram Sambasivan, News & Features Editor

The Valedictorians and Salutatorians of the class of 2023 were revealed on Monday, Feb. 20. The Knight Writers Staff created a list of questions to gain a deeper insight into their journey toward academic achievement.

Q: What drove you to strive to achieve academic excellence?

Rahul Rajinthkumar, IB Valedictorian: “I’d say I knew what my goals were for the future, and knew it was important I started out well, and things worked out in the end.”

Praveen Prabaharan, IB Salutatorian: “I’ve always tried my best in school since I was really young. I guess that mindset carried forward and got me to where I am today.”

Isabella Cuevas, Traditional Valedictorian: “Not wanting to fail honestly. I knew that failing would make me feel like I wasn’t reaching my fullest potential in my academics and I knew I was capable of it so I pushed myself to get my work done, try as hard as I could, and have good communication with my teachers.”

Russell Vifquain, Traditional Salutatorian: “I always just told myself ‘A’s and B’s and I put myself in heavier weighted classes, but my parents were behind most of it.”

Q: Was the path you took worth the sacrifices made along the way?

RR: “Yeah I think it was. I see this as just the first step. Obviously it’s great to end high school in such a way and I think it’s equally important I try to do the same in college, I’d say it be pretty worth it then.”

PP: “Yeah, I would say it was worth it. I didn’t really think of it as a sacrifice ’cause I’m a pretty curious person and already spend a lot of my free time learning new things anyway.”

IC: “I didn’t sacrifice much, if anything sleep.”

RV: “It was definitely worth it, for being part of the covid and construction class, I don’t see a lot that I could’ve done differently to get a better high school experience.”

Q: Looking back, would you have still taken the same path?

RR: “It’s hard to say, but I think it certainly would’ve been similar. I’d say it’s more important to work hard, and what comes as a result is secondary.”

PP: “Probably, I learned a lot of new things and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to take some extra classes and so I could explore my interests.”

IC: “Yeah I would, I did everything I needed to do and more so why not.”

RV: “If anything I wish I would’ve done more extracurriculars and put myself out there a little more, but I am thankful for how everything played out.”

Q: Would you say that you were able to pursue your extracurricular interests, if any, along with schoolwork and a social life?

RR: “I knew I had to find a balance with my extracurriculars and schoolwork. It was hard, and anyone would say that sleep was hard to come by towards junior and senior year, but I was able to find a balance that worked for me.”

PP: “Definitely. For the most part, I haven’t had a ton of trouble balancing school and extracurriculars. Sure, there are times when you’re under stress but if you plan everything well enough it should work out.”

IC: “Yeah, I still did a lot after school. I was still able to work, help with lacrosse and go out with friends to the beach, dinners and such. I had a very active social life with my good friends.”

RV: “I was more than able to do extracurriculars and have a fulfilling social life. I was a dual sport athlete and outside of that I’ve made some great friends along the way.”

Q: What is your message for any underclassman looking up to you?

RR: “I’d say it’s important to start well. Laying the foundation will inevitably bring more opportunities to pursue bigger things. It’s also equally important to maintain your well-being as much as your academics, and try your best to find a balance.”

PP: “Do whatever makes you happy and have some fun along the way. Don’t worry about things not going as planned cause everything always works out in the end.”

IC: “You don’t need to be the best at every subject, and you don’t have to stress yourself so much over a class that will always be hard to understand. Just try hard, do the extra credit and communicate with your teachers about your time.”

RV: “Just have fun and do you. Don’t put too much pressure and stress on yourself, high school is too short for all that.”

Q: What are your plans for the future?

RR: “It’s hard to say. While I haven’t decided on a specialty, I hope I’d have started my medical residency and just have a good group of friends and family, because that is what will matter more to anyone in the end as much as any job.”

PP: “I’ll probably have graduated from college with a degree in engineering and hopefully have secured a nice job. Most importantly, I want to be happy and healthy with some good memories to look back on.”

IC: “I plan to go to college after this year, hopefully a good university in Florida, then go into law school either in Florida or out of the state, not too sure yet.”

RV: “Go to college somewhere in Florida, and get my Masters in Data Science and Business.”