People in the News: Burlington High's 2011 Valedictorians

Actress Jodie Foster. Strange, pop-icon Weird Al Yankovic. Senator Robert Byrd.

What do these three successful individuals have in common? Judging by this article's title you may have guessed. That's right, they are all High School Valedictorians.

BHS wasn't satisfied this year in just giving away the honor to one senior, so, in a split-decision, a pair of spectacular students got the honor. Kishan Ughreja and Jay Capua Jr., both of who carried a 4.0 GPA through their entire high school careers, are twinned for BHS's 2011 Valedictorians. Patch got a hold of the duo and asked them a few questions concerning what the honor means to them and their plans for the future.

What does being chosen as BHS's 2011 Valedictorian mean to you?

Kishan: Being chosen as valedictorian means a great deal to me, as I have aspired to achieve this honorable distinction throughout my educational career. I am very proud of this honor and I feel that it is indicative of all my hard work and effort that I have put in during my four years in high school, and all the years beforehand. I also believe that this achievement is a testament to my father’s dedication to encourage me to always excel myself to be the best that I can be.

Jay: I am so proud to be one of the Valedictorians of Burlington High School's class of 2011. To represent the class makes me very content, because I have seen the work of my classmates over the years, and seeing us all make it to graduation makes me so happy for everyone.

Why do you feel you were chosen?

Kishan: I had a perfect 4.0 GPA. The school picks the student with the highest GPA.

Jay: The way I look at it, the Valedictorians of any graduating class pick the role themselves. If someone wants to be Valedictorian, they try their hardest in all their work in order to achieve success whenever and wherever possible.

How do you feel about sharing the title?

Kishan: Possibly surprising to many, I do not really mind sharing the title since Jay and I are very close friends and we both have earned it. Ever since freshman year, Jay and I have put in a high level of effort and have held ourselves to a high level of excellence. And throughout high school, it was exciting knowing that my friend is competing with me for the top rank in the school. And I am pretty sure that friendly competition motivated me even more to put in that extra effort. So I am not against sharing this title with my friend, but at the same time, it would have been really great to be the sole valedictorian.

Jay: I am thrilled that I was able to share the title with one of my closest friends. Since 8th grade, we have always been neck and neck at the top. However, it was at BHS that we became friends, and over the years I came to feel that sharing the title of Valedictorian with Kishan would not be a bad thing. Coming up to the end, we always talked and made sure that one another's grades didn't slip. However, we also joked about the Guidance Department's mission to take one of us out, so as to solve the problem of having two Valedictorians.

Balancing academics, a social life and outside achievements is hard work. Any advice for possible future Valedictorians on this subject?

Kishan: The bottom line is if you wish to be the valedictorian, you really got to want it. Striving towards achieving the title of valedictorian involves hard work and it requires dedication. So if it is a priority for you, and you sincerely want to receive this distinction, you will have to put in your full effort to study the material. Also, time management is very important. Our school faculty and parents have told us this many times, and for good reasons. If you cannot manage academics, your social life, and extra-curricular activities, you will have a difficult time succeeding. And lastly, do not give in to senioritis. Your friends may be slacking off and pressuring you into joining them, but grades still get counted until the very end. In my opinion, a couple months of slacking and relaxation is not worth losing the chance to possibly achieve what you have worked so hard for in the last three years.

Jay: Do not take any one thing too seriously. I'm not advising apathy, but devoting all of your time and effort into one thing only takes away from other commitments. A balance is what allows someone to become Valedictorian. Also, stress is the biggest threat to being a Valedictorian. If you stress out over small things, it will hold you back from getting to the top.

What are your plans for the future?

Kishan: My ultimate goal is to graduate from medical school and become a doctor. I have already been admitted to a BS/MD accelerated program, so that helps me out a lot. I plan to major in biology as an undergraduate and to also get involved with research work, internships, and community service.

Jay: I will be attending Boston University in the fall. I will major in Mathematics, though I don't yet know what kind of carreer I intend to make of it.

Be sure and check out our complimentary articles of Kishan and Jay's valedictorian speeches!