The Lawrence High School Class of 2022 will graduate on Tuesday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton.
“We are so proud of the ways in which you have adapted to a high school career that has been filled with its fair share of tweaks, adjustments, and change of plans moments, but also with new friends, new memories, and new traditions,” said a notice sent from the school district to the seniors.
“In many ways, you have all become pioneers here at Lawrence High School, and through it all you have stayed strong, flexible, brave, and patient,” the notice said.
Meanwhile, the Lawrence Gazette’s annual feature spotlighting the high school’s top 10 academic seniors appears below. Students are listed in alphabetical order.
This year’s seniors talked about their plans, identified the people who they look up to, and shared a favorite high school memory.
Reetika Agarwal
College and major: Villanova University, Finance
Career plans: Corporate finance or corporate law
Planned college activities: Society of Women in Financial Training (SWIFT), Operation Smile, cultural clubs.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: DECA, Operation Smile, Model United Nations, Business Academy, Deloitte Academy, Peer Leadership, National Honor Society.
Who is a person that inspires you? My sister, for showing me how far courage, determination, and a warm personality can take you in life.
Favorite inspirational quote: “We’re almost there, but nowhere near it. All that matters is that we’re going.”–Lorelai Gilmore
Favorite high school memory? Going to Atlanta with my friends for the DECA International Career Development Conference and AP Eu(rowe) for all the laughter.
Arya Baskaran
College and major: Rutgers University, Undeclared
Major/Career Plans: I’m not sure what career I want to pursue at the moment.
Planned college activities: I don’t really know exactly what clubs I want to join in college, but I do that I want to get involved in some way when I get there.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: Girl’s tennis team.
Who is a person that inspires you? My parents have always been my biggest inspiration. They’ve always encouraged me to work hard and try my best at everything I do.
Favorite inspirational quote: “A river cuts through a rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.” –James Watkins
Favorite high school memory? The practice time I had after school when I was playing tennis. Every year, that time I got to spend after school with my friends playing a sport I enjoy was some of my favorite moments in high school.
Prajna Karmaker
College and major: Rutgers University, Computer science
Career plans: Computer science research
Planned college activities: Rutgers Women in Computer Science, continuing martial arts.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: DECA, National Honor Society, Math League, STEM Academy.
Who is a person that inspires you? My mom inspires me because she puts 100% effort into everything, even after being exhausted every day. Her positive mindset keeps me going on difficult days.
Favorite inspirational quote: “If not now, when?”
Favorite high school memory? Going to DECA states with friends and joking around in resource period.
Jeremiah King (Salutatorian)
College and major: University of Scranton, Accounting
Career plans: Consulting or auditing
Planned college activities: Cross country and Track.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: Cross Country, Track, Peer Leadership, Class Officers, DECA, Business Academy, National Honors Society.
Who is a person that inspires you? Elon Musk because he is doing crazy things that have never before been thought possible.
Favorite inspirational quote: “Only the disciplined ones in life are free.” –Eliud Kipchoge
Favorite high school memory? All the bus rides back from track and cross country meets when we would unapologetically sing as loud as we could.
Sean Mills
College and major: United States Naval Academy, Mechanical Engineering
Career plans: I will commission as a Marine officer or Second Lieutenant in the Navy, where I hope to do something in the field of environmental engineering.
Planned college activities: I will likely end up rowing or wrestling.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: Peer Leadership, Student Council President, National Honor Society, Mercer Rowing, Wrestling.
Who is a person that inspires you? Bill Gates, because he uses his wealth to impact the world in a positive way. He sets a new precedent for the wealthy of the world which I greatly admire.
Favorite inspirational quote: “Carpe momentum,” latin for “seize the moment.” Never give up an opportunity that may not arise again.
Favorite high school memory? Recently participating in and winning LHS’s Senior Showcase. It was a blast and it was great spending so much time with friends I never would have made otherwise.
Shivam Patel
College and major: Rutgers University, Cell Biology and Neuroscience (Pre-med)
Career plans: I want to attend medical school so I can go on to become an optometrist.
Planned college activities: I plan on attending clubs that are engaged in math and science and ones that allow me to connect with my community.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: LHS Math League, LHS boys’ tennis.
Who is a person that inspires you? Franklin D. Roosevelt; for his resilient character, despite struggling with polio he led the nation through the difficult times of Great Depression and World War II.
Favorite inspirational quote: “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try” –John F. Kennedy
Favorite high school memory? Returning to an in-person senior year after 1.5 years of virtual learning caused by the pandemic. Seeing friends and teachers and attending classes in person ensured a normal senior year.
Adithi Ponakampalli
College and major: Northeastern University, Economics and Computer Science
Career plans: Financial Tech Industry
Planned College Activities: STEM and Artsy clubs. Might do a study abroad at some point.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: National History Day, Science Olympiad, Tennis, Peer Leadership, National Honor Society.
Who is a person that inspires you? My mom because she’s made me the person I am today.
Favorite inspirational quote: “Humor is everything. Everything.”–Pitbull
Favorite high school memory? Making Ms. Recentio laugh over the exact same joke a billion times. It never gets old.
Miduna Rishindran
College and major: Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Finance
Career plans: CFO of Welch’s Fruit Snacks
Planned college activities: Club field hockey, Wallyball, and Women in Finance.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: Field hockey, DECA, Deloitte Academy, Business and International Studies Academy, National History Day, National Honor Society and Peer Leadership.
Who is a person that inspires you? Natalie Anderson because her physical and mental strength led to her being the first Sri Lankan to win Survivor.
Favorite inspirational quote: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” –Andy Bernard
Favorite high school memory? Winning the Mercer County Tournament finals under the stadium lights…the adrenaline, the excitement, the cheering #ladycards4life.
Matthew Smith
College and major: Elizabethtown College, Computer Science
Career plans: Swim Coach
Planned college activities: Swimming
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: Swimming and National Honor Society.
Who is a person that inspires you? Coach Lynn Shields because she is a positive, understanding role model who encourages and listens to every person and she always puts people first.
Favorite inspirational quote: “Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get.” –Michael Phelps
Favorite high school memory? Messing around in Lane 6 on the high school swim team as an underclassman #lhsbirdbath.
Nandini Swami (Valedictorian)
College and major: University of Pennsylvania, Engineering
Career plans: Data Science for social impact
Planned college activities: STEM-related clubs, service clubs, and cultural activities.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: Students Helping Honduras, DECA, Science Olympiad, Model United Nations, National Honor Society.
Who is a person that inspires you? My brother and my Sensei because they are incredible people and they have taught me so much.
Favorite inspirational quote: “I knew exactly what to do…but in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do” –Michael Scott
Favorite high school memory? Dancing in freshmen year Culture Fest, playing Wii at DECA States, Gender Studies with Ms. Palombo and so much more.
Reetika Agarwal,
Jeremiah King,
Nandini Swami,
Shivam Patel,
