The Lawrence High School Class of 2024 graduated on June 18 at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton.
Once again this year, the Lawrence Gazette’s presents its annual feature spotlighting the high school’s top 10 academic seniors. Students are listed in alphabetical order below.
This year’s seniors talked about their plans, identified the people who they look up to, and shared some of their favorite high school memories. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Pavana Gujjar
Rutgers University New Brunswick, Biology
Career plans: Optometry
Planned college activities: DIYA, AIR, Pre-Optometry (RUPOPS), also studying abroad.
Clubs/sports at LHS: STEM Academy, Peer Leadership, NHS.
Person who inspires you: My mom, for always supporting me.
Favorite quote: “Sometimes, the wrong train takes you to the right station.” —Crash Landing on You
Best high school memory: Ooika matcha runs during OTL!!
Shaila Kolomatskaia
Lehigh University, Chemical Engineering
Career plans: Cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.
Planned college activities: Club tennis, Eco-Rep Leadership program, community service, and volunteering.
Clubs/sports at LHS: Varsity Tennis, Varsity Swimming, National Honor Society, Peer Leadership, Green Action Team, Teen PEP, and Chinese Honors Society.
Person who inspires you: Princess Diana for being a caring and brave individual who was always devoted to helping others.
Favorite quote: “You are given one life. Don’t waste it. Embrace it. Love it. Live it.”—Trisha Paytas
Best high school memory: MCTs, sophomore year hoco, football games, and prom weekend.
Kellen Moore
Lafayette College, Mathematics-Economics
Career plans: Corporate Finance
Planned college activities: Pitcher on the baseball team.
Clubs/sports at LHS: Varsity Baseball, Varsity Basketball, Deca, National Honor Society, Peer Leadership.
Person who inspires you: My brother, because his persistence and determination drives me to be the best I can every day and put my full effort into everything I do.
Favorite quote: “You’re money kid”—Daniel Dryzga
Best high school memory: Pitching in the MCT Finals at Trenton Thunder Stadium.
Sonia Munawar
Rutgers University, Cell Biology and Neuroscience.
Career plans: Medical school to pursue becoming a doctor.
Planned college activities: Health related organizations, community service clubs, American Medical Association and Medic Zero.
Clubs/sports at LHS: Captain of the Science Olympiad team, member of the Green Action team, National Honor Society and STEM academy.
Person who inspires you: My mom. She has always been there for me and supports all my hopes and dreams. I am eternally grateful to have such a caring mom to support and guide me.
Favorite quote: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there”—Theodore Roosevelt.
Best high school memory: My senior prom. I enjoyed the senior breakfast and had one of the favorite nights of my life.
Piyush Nawade
Columbia University, Financial Economics
Career Plans: Changing by the day/
College Activities: Gardening Club, Pre-Law Society, Daily Spectator.
Clubs/sports at LHS: Science Olympiad, National History Day, The Lawrencian, Math League.
Person who inspires you: Mike Wazowski. because he proves that you can work hard and have fun at the same time.
Favorite quote: “The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying”—John C Maxwell
Best high school memory: When Ms. Lin hit our school bus.
Chiara Oshiro
The University of Pennsylvania, Biochemistry and Health and Societies (Public Health)
Career plans: A medical doctor with a MPH who uses clinical expertise to address healthcare inequities.
Planned college activities: Penn Philippine Association, Penn Pre-Medical Association, MEDLIFE, Parkinson’s Pals, the United Community Clinic, and some level of involvement with the gymnastics team.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: Operation Smile, Student Council, STEM Academy, Peer Leadership, and National Honor Society.
Person who inspires you: My first role model and inspiration always, my best friend and older sister, Gemma. My first steps were following her, and her influence on me has only grown.
Favorite quote: “If anything is worth doing, do it with all your heart”—Buddha
Best high school memory: Having to walk from Gainsboro Road every morning.
Sonia Pollock
University of California Los Angeles, Biochemistry
Career Plans: Neuroradiologist
Planned College Activities: Engineers Without Borders, Japanese Student Association, Prehealth Society, American Medical Student Association.
Clubs/Sports at LHS: Student council, Cheerleading, Science Olympiad, Stem Academy, Peer Leadership, Chinese Honors Society, National Honors Society, Operation Smile, Student Representative.
Person who inspires you: DigitalVic for being a great photographer, role model and best friend. She always makes me laugh and we always find ourselves on the same wavelength.
Favorite quote: “Be Selfish”—Mr. Gresko
Best high school memory: Performing Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show for the UCA Cheerleading Camp talent show with my teammates.
Riya Sharma
George Washington University, Computer Science and Interaction Design
Career plans: Video Game Designer or Bakery Owner.
Planned college activities: Badminton Club, Cultural Clubs, STEM clubs, Spoon University, and music-related clubs (either instrumental or vocal).
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: Marching Band, Jazz Band, STEM Academy, National Honor Society, Chinese Honor Society.
Person who inspires you: Ash Ketchum because I want to be the very best, like no one ever was.
Favorite quote: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”—Master Oogway
Best high school memory: Conducting my first football game as the marching band’s senior drum major and Chinese field trips.
Farhaan Shroff
The University of Texas at Austin, Mechanical Engineering
Planned College Activities: Longhorn Racing.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: Science Olympiad, STEM Academy, and St. Baldirck’s Foundation.
Person who inspires you: My parents for always encouraging me to pursue my passions.
Favorite quote: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”—Master Oogway
Best high school memory: Dancing in the mosh pits at Homecoming.
Arjun Tatavarthi
Rutgers SAS Honors, Data Science
Career plans: A field in A.I.
Planned college activities: Research programs dedicated to finding new A.I. technologies. Study abroad in Japan junior year of college.
Clubs/sports teams at LHS: Boys Tennis.
Person who inspires you: My family collectively. They continue to be there for me when I need them and make sure to celebrate my successes while helping me get through my struggles. They ensured I had a strong foundation to work with to help me meet my goals.
Favorite quote: “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” ― Carl Sagan
Best high school memory: Experiencing High School with my friends.
Farhaan Shroff,
Piyush Nawade,
Sonia Munawar,
