Wilson Central's 6 vals and sals: Their favorite bands, foods, TV shows and what's next
Wilson Central High School is scheduled to graduate 311 students at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center, with three valedictorians and three salutatorians in the 2023 class.
The number of valedictorians and salutatorians is because of a tiebreaker system the district has for those honors.
The criteria for seniors to be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian include a 4.25 grade point average, 20 hours of community service and at least four semesters of enrollment in the district. For students who achieve a 4.25 GPA or better, their ACT test score becomes the deciding factor regardless of how much higher a their GPA goes above 4.25, as long as it reaches that level.
Changes to the valedictorian and salutatorian selections next school year will include using the highest grade point average to separate students. The ACT score will be a tiebreaker only if eligible student GPAs are actually identical no matter how high.
Valedictorians
Aadi Patel
College or career plans: To attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He plans to go into private equity and eventually start a real estate-development firm.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome during high school? “Balancing college and scholarship applications with work and a rigorous school schedule.”
Are you looking forward to speaking at graduation? “I’m looking forward to speaking, but slightly nervous because I’m not yet sure what to speak about.”
Extra-curricular activities and outside interests: “Temple classes, member of the Kiwanis Club of Mt. Juliet; enjoy spending time with family, friends and working out.”
A person who influenced you during high school: "(Calculus teacher) Mrs. Marcie Polk, my parents."
Favorite restaurant, musical artist, TV show: No favorite restaurant, Drake and “Breaking Bad.”
AP social studies teacher Courtney Weeks on Aadi: “Aadi has a passion and dedication for learning. He works super hard and is very ambitious. He strives to be one of the best in the classroom.”
Joseph Tzompanakis
College or career plans: To attend the University of Alabama and study mechanical engineering.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome during high school? “Balancing school and work.”
Are you looking forward to speaking at graduation? “No. Stage fright.”
Extra-curricular activities and outside interests: Boy Scouts, lacrosse.
A person who influenced you during high school: AP calculus teacher Marcie Polk.
Favorite restaurant, musical artist, TV show: Oishii Asian Restaurant, Led Zeppelin, “One Piece.”
Polk on Joseph: “As a teacher I wish to have more students like Joseph in my classes. His personality inspires others to achieve. The community around him will be made better by his academic skills, kind character and work ethic.”
Jude Wilt
College or career plans: To study nuclear engineering at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome during high school? “Staying motivated and venturing outside my comfort zone.”
Are you looking forward to speaking at graduation? “I’m sure I’ll be nervous, but I look forward to being able to speak. I want to make a lasting impression on people I may not see again.”
Extra-curricular activities and outside interests: “Cross-country, track and field, gaming, hiking, reading.”
A person who influenced you during high school: "Coach (Anthony) Vermilye, my distance track coach."
Favorite restaurant, musical artist, TV show. MoriMori, The Weeknd, “Breaking Bad.”
Polk on Jude: “Jude brings joy to his peers and his teachers. He is a focused student, dedicated on understanding. I feel fortunate to have Jude as a student and believe his potential of success has no limit.”
Salutatorians
Ananda Irwin
College or career plans: “I plan on going to Tennessee Tech to pursue a career in computer science and possibly computer engineering. I am yet unsure.”
What was your biggest challenge to overcome during high school? “Learning to be myself was hard, truthfully. I think it’s very easy to be influenced by others' opinions. But at a certain point recognizing that relationships are give and take is important. So you need to find a group of people who support you.”
Are you looking forward to speaking at graduation? “I am, yes. I think it will give me a good chance to share some advice from my high school experiences and give back at least a fraction of what high school has given me.”
Extra-curricular activities and outside interests: Student council, DECA, NHS, Beta Club, Youth in Government. "I also really enjoy video games, anime, drawing/art in general and reading."
A person who influenced you during high school: “There are so many, but (social studies teacher Courtney) Weeks has been such an influence. Her AP Human Geography class was my first introduction to AP and it set the standard. In addition, her humor, caring attitude and guidance has been so helpful through all of these years.”
Favorite restaurant, musical artist, TV show. “I generally don’t pick favorites, but here are some things that come to mind. Margarita House, or Madjo or Daft Punk, 'Young Royals.'"
Art teacher and student council sponsor Kelsey Reese on Ananda: “Ananda has been a bright light at Wilson Central throughout his student career. He is always helpful, kind to others, and is a natural born leader. He has a wonderful work ethic which has been shown by holding down a job, being active in numerous clubs including student council, attending conferences, competing in competitions for those clubs and actively planning his future, all while being diligent about his grades.”
Jai Mehta
College or career plans: To attend the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and study computer science with a minor in political science on a pre-med track.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome during high school? “Sometimes balancing extracurriculars with academics is a struggle. But making sure that you stay on track of events and your assignment would allow your scheduled to work out.”
Are you looking forward to speaking at graduation? “I’m looking forward to seeing everybody at graduation, but I’m not entirely excited to speak at graduation. I’m not a bad public speaker, but it’s a little nerve-racking facing the class I’ve spent four years with. It’s a little bittersweet.”
Extra-curricular activities and outside interests: The Pepper Podcast, Boy Scouts, Student Council, Civic Engagement Club, BETA, NHS, DECA, Young Jains of America.
A person who influenced you during high school: “My calculus teacher Mrs. Polk helped me find what I truly enjoyed doing during high school. She encouraged me while keeping me grounded. Her passion for learning has influenced me to focus my energy in my endeavors and I want to thank her for the years that I’ve had her.”
Favorite restaurant, musical artist, TV show. Taco Bell, Lamp, “House M.D.”
Reese on Jai: “Jai is a hardworking individual that sets goals and conquers them. Jai has always been ambitious since freshman year. He is focused, driven and passionate about his future.”
Sudarshan Sridhar
College or career plans: To attend Purdue University and pursue a degree in aerospace engineering.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome during high school? “Having the motivation to keep going and not burning out.”
Are you looking forward to speaking at graduation? “Not really, I don’t feel like I have any advice to give to my peers.”
Extra-curricular activities and outside interests: Piano, DECA, NHS, Beta, student council.
A person who influenced you during high school: “My sister (Supreethi Sridhar)."
Favorite restaurant, musical artist, TV show: No favorite restaurant, The Weeknd, “Peaky Blinders.”
Weeks on Sudarshan: “Sudarshan is an old soul. He is quietly funny and easy going, but also so inquisitive about the world. He thinks on such a deep level. He is such a joy to have in the classroom because he always asks such well thought out and deep questions.”
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Wilson Central High has six valedictorians and salutatorians.
