Varun Gajjar: IB Salutatorian 2026
What accomplishment are you most proud of from your high school years, and why?
Some accomplishments I am most proud of from my high school years come from my time competing with Strawberry Crest’s Debate team. As a public forum competitor, I achieved many first-place wins at debate competitions across the FGCCFL debate league. These accomplishments are most important to me because the path to get there, including the hours of work and many disappointed placements, gave the wins all the more meaning. Competing as a dancer was another great experience where my team won first and third place at national and international dance competitions over my high school years. Just like debate, it was the long nights and sacrifices that made the journey so memorable.
Was there a teacher, mentor, or experience that had a major impact on your success?
My piano teacher, Mr. Nikolov, played a major role in my success in high school. His lessons taught me so much more than just the piano, mentoring me through academics and life in general. He changed my outlook on the way I approach challenges and my outlook on life as a whole, and his lessons have stayed with me over the years.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you outside of academics?
People might be surprised that I play the saxophone and piano outside of school. Playing music has always been an escape for me, and a process that has challenged me to be creative in ways I never expected. I hope to one day be able to play more publicly and share my musical pursuits with others!
How did you balance schoolwork with extracurriculars, jobs, sports, or personal life?
Balancing schoolwork oftentimes came down to sacrifices in one way or another. This meant staying up some nights or choosing to compromise on other activities throughout the week. As time went on, I was able to be more structured with this balance, especially with the help of my counselor, Mrs. Lewis, whom I could talk to at any time.
What was the most challenging moment of high school, and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging period of high school was probably junior year, when I had a very unbalanced workload both in school and out. There would be many days I would be up all night, and I stopped hanging out with my friends so often. It at times felt isolated and never-ending. Over time, though, the pressures from school eased up, and with the extra time I was able to make more time for myself and my friends, and the support helped bring balance back into my life.
If you could give one piece of advice to incoming freshmen, what would it be?
My advice would be to do things for yourself and not others. A lot of times, we do things with the goal of achieving something for the recognition of other people, whether that’s trying to enhance our resume or build up our GPA. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that those things matter so much less than the skills and accomplishments you achieve with your own growth and development in mind. Seeking challenges for yourself and working for yourself are the things you will benefit from and remember when the chaos of high school comes to an end.
What are your plans after graduation, and what excites you most about the future?
My plans after graduation include attending USF, pursuing a degree in biomedical sciences, and attending med school afterwards. I am most excited about the freedom of choice that lies before me, and that my future is completely in my hands, with so many opportunities out there for me to explore. I hope to try new things and make many memories as a result of the many new experiences to come.
Looking back, what do you think truly defines a successful high school experience?
A truly successful high school experience is defined by your personal growth over the years. The change in your outlook to seek challenges for yourself and the bonds you were able to create with others will equip you with the tools to create success in the future. Being successful in high school isn’t necessarily about achieving success while you were there, but in creating the foundation for the person who will achieve success in the future.
