Whiz Kid: Tanmaya Sambare

Name: Tanmaya Sambare

Age: 18

Grade: Class of 2011

School: Hinsdale South High School

Accomplishment: The 2011 Hinsdale South graduate was involved with a wide variety of activities during his high school years. Sambare played French horn in both the concert and marching bands for four years, and started competing in Scholastic Bowl and Academic Bowl beginning in his sophomore year. His team placed in the top 8 in state his sophomore and junior years, and Sambare was team captain his senior year. Sambare also played tennis all four years of high school, and was a member of the varsity team since his sophomore year. The well-rounded student, who also addressed his classmates at their commencement ceremony this spring, will attend Harvard University in the fall. 

Key to Awesomeness: Sambare wasn't sure he quite fit the mold of the typical band member at the beginning of high school. "I was doing it for the sake of doing it," he said about playing French horn in the marching and concert bands. "I was more embarrassed of being a 'band geek.' I was a little nervous, like all freshmen." As time went on, though, he began to enjoy being in the band. "I didn't care so much about awards or [playing to impress colleges]," he said. "I like playing instruments, and I was rewarded adequately just from playing. I had an intrinsic motivation to play." To top it off, Sambare was awarded All-State for orchestra. "That came as a surprise," he said. 

Sambare also enjoyed participating in Scholastic and Academic Bowl. He made friends. He called his teammates "really amazing kids," and found himself reading even more to store as much information as possible. "I'm interested in general knowledge stuff," he said. "It's fun. I find enjoyment in knowing as much as I can. You never know when you'll need random information." 

What’s Next: Sambare hasn't decided on a major yet, but he has considered something science or medicine related. He looks forward to perhaps continuing Scholastic Bowl in college, but is keeping an open mind otherwise. "[Harvard is] definitely going to be a lot different than high school," he said. "I'm no longer one of the best [students]. It'll be a humbling experience. But that college experience will be more valuable than anything, because it keeps you on the ground with things in perspective. I'll learn a lot there, and that whole perspective and attitude coming out of there will be one of the best things. The stuff I learn in college will be life lessons."