Author: Brian Lester

“It is a very gratifying feeling to see years of hard work pay off,” Iyengar said. “Being named Salutatorian is an acknowledgement of the effort and commitment. I expect the best from myself. I cannot always control the outcome, but I can control the input.”

Iyengar said her academic was a challenging one, and taking those tough classes, along with hard work, put her in a position to be in a lofty position in her graduating class.

“Taking Honors courses, Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment courses in college helped,” Iyengar said. “Having a good worth ethic and the desire to always learn helped me finish at the top of my class.”

Making time work to her advantage while balancing a busy schedule also helped Iyengar along on the road to academic success.

“Time management was key,” Iyengar said. “It helped me participate in multiple activities and allowed me to enjoy extracurriculars while keeping up my grades.”

Iyengar kept herself busy outside the classroom as well. She played tennis all four years of her high school career and was involved in Interact Club throughout her four years at Pace, spending her senior year as the club’s secretary. She’s also a member of the National Honors Society.

One of her best moments in high school stems from her senior year as a tennis player.

“Helping my tennis team advance to regionals was my favorite moment,” Iyengar said. “Being (the) 2022 district doubles champion was a great way to end senior year.”

Iyengar said her time at Pace has prepared her to face any challenges that have come her way and she has big plans for the next chapter of her life.

“I plan to study Architecture at the University of Virginia and then go on to study law,” Iyengar said.
Iyengar is looking forward to life after Pace, leaving school with knowledge and memories that will last a lifetime.”

She also offered up a little advice for those students preparing to enter high school this fall.

“Get involved in multiple activities, whether it is a sport or a club,” Iyengar said. Also, work efficiently and use your guidance counsellor as a resource.”

“For me, family, school and sports has always come first, and making sure each of those priorities was taken care of was important to me,” Harshany said.

Harshany didn’t expect to be the valedictorian of her class but put in the time and effort to make it happen.

“Being valedictorian feels extremely rewarding,” Harshany said. “Achieving this has made me feel even more thankful to have my family, teachers, staff, coaches, and friends, and their unconditional support throughout my life.”

It is that support that helped Harshany thrive in high school.

“What helped get me to the point where I could finish at the top of my class was without a doubt my support system,” Harshany said. “I would not have been where I am today without my mom and dad pushing me and my two older brothers providing me with a standard that I wanted to reach.”

Harshany was heavily involved in extracurricular activities at Pace, including playing volleyball for the Patriots. She was also a member of the National Honors Society and completed AP Capstone.

“One of the activities that will always stick with me is my AP Research class,” Harshany said. “I enjoyed this class greatly and formed some of the best friendships throughout that class that I will never forget. AP Capstone has given me many opportunities, and with that program, I have grown immensely.”

Harshany is amazed at how far she’s come since she started out high school and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

“Freshman me would be very grateful for how far I’ve come and extremely thankful for the relationships I have made along the way,” Harshany said. “The friendships, amazing teachers and staff of Pace High, and my family are what has made my high school experience such a special one.”

Harshany plans to attend Rose-Hulman in Indiana and play college volleyball. She has high expectations beyond her athletic career as well.

“My plans after graduation are to play volleyball at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and major in Computer Engineering,” Harshany said. “One goal I have for my life is to improve human condition through technology.”

As for advice for students that will be starting high school this fall, Harshany said it’s important to find something you are passionate about.

“I am a strong believer that if you are doing something you are interested in it will not only bring you the most success, but the most happiness within your success as well,” Harshany said. “The people around you influence you greatly and making sure those people are positive and supportive is extremely important.”

“It’s an amazing opportunity to speak on behalf of the entire class,” Wilson said. “I want to be able to give them something that sticks with them.”

Wilson said there have been a lot of late nights and early mornings on the way to being in the top two of her graduating class, and she gives her teachers a lot of credit in those moments when she needed extra time to get something done.

“When they know you are a good student and you don’t constantly push the limit, if you say you need an extra day, they have always been understanding,” Wilson said. “If there was a time where I really needed that extra day to get something done, they’d give it to me.”

Wilson came to Milton from a small private school where there were only eight eighth graders and adjusting to a bigger school was an adjustment.

But getting involved helped her make the transition a smooth one.

“My goal by my senior year was to be the president of almost every club I was in. I’m the president of five different clubs and the vice president of another,” Wilson said. “I tried to get involved in as many clubs as possible and the great thing was meeting people I didn’t have classes with.”

Wilson has also done dance almost her entire life and is heavily involved in her church as well. Her effort to be well-rounded shattered the image that a top student is only focused on academics.

“A lot of times people expect us not to have a life, but it’s really important to have other things you are involved in,” Wilson said. “You want to make your high school experience fun.”

Wilson is headed to Harding University in Arkansas for college and eventually plans to go to law school.

Her family played a part in drawing her to that profession.

“My dad is an attorney and my grandfather was one, and I’ve always been interested in law,” Wilson said. “I really enjoy public speaking, too, and enjoy debate, seeing my dad got me interested in it at a young age.”

Wilson said she’s looking forward to college life, including the chance to live in a dorm and meeting new people.

As far as advice for those who will be entering high school in the fall, Wilson talked about how new students can meet people pretty easily.

“This might be random, but lunch is really great time to meet people you might not see anywhere else during the day,” Wilson said. “I came here not knowing anybody, and had no one to sit with the first couple of days. That third day I sat with people who I’ve sat with the last four years. They have become great friends.”