The Robbinsville High School Class of 2017 is set to graduate 6 p.m. June 21 at the school’s athletic field. Among those graduates are this year’s Exceptional Seniors, a group of 11 students chosen by the school administration.
These students represent the best of the Class of 2017, and are en route to top-flight institutions like the University of California–Berkeley, Georgetown and Michigan. They aspire to careers in medicine, finance, science and math.
This year’s 11 Exceptional Seniors appear below in a randomly chosen order and are not ranked by academic achievement.
Rebecca Liu
Rutgers University (pharmacy)
Clubs: Future Medical Leaders of America, National Honor Society
Prior schooling: Sharon Elementary, Pond Road Middle
Person who inspires me: “My grandmother. She showed me how unconditional love can transcend borders and distance.”
Favorite memory: “Raising caterpillars in 3rd grade, and watching them process of metamorphosis, and the sight of seeing dozens of monarchs take flight.”
Megan Singh
George Washington University
Undecided
Sports: Cross country
Clubs: Future Medical Leaders of America
Prior schooling: Sharon Elementary, Pond Road Middle
Person who inspires me: “My mom because she worked really hard to get where she is in her career, and she always supports me.”
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory from my K-12 schooling would be going to Disney World for our senior trip. It was really fun getting to go to a different park every day and explore with my friends.”
Alli Bassman-Lyons
Colby College (biology)
Sports: Golf
Clubs: National Honor Society, UNICEF, Rutgers’ Waksman Student Scholars program
Prior schooling: Clara Barton Elementary, Bordentown Regional Middle
Person who inspires me: “My parents because they inspire me to be my best.”
Favorite memory: “NYC field trip.”
Colin Riley
Villanova University (finance)
Sports: Soccer, basketball
Clubs: Executive council (vice president), student council (vice president), FIRST Robtics, National Honor Society
Prior schooling: Sharon Elementary, Pond Road Middle
Person who inspires me: “My dad because he taught me what it means to make the right choice, even when it may not be the easy one.”
Favorite memory: “The senior class trip to Disney World.”
Jessica Michal
Rutgers University (dance)
Choreographer
Sports: Field hockey, dance team (founder and captain)
Clubs: Class vice president, FBLA Club, UNICEF club
Prior schooling: Sharon Elementary, Pond Road Middle
Person who inspires me: “My mother and grandmom because they have taught me to live happily.”
Favorite memory: “Storming the field on my last homecoming game after winning in overtime, performing at the pep rally with my dance team to honor Dr. Mayer, and making memories with my friends on our senior class trip to Disney World.”
Ashvin Ravi
UC Berkeley (computer science/biology)
Clubs: Marching band, Model UN, FIRST Robotics
Prior schooling: Sharon Elementary, Pond Road Middle
Person who inspires me: “My parents are the most inspirational people in my life because they’ve give me the extra motivation I’ve always needed and have helped me do things that I never knew I was capable of.”
Favorite memory: “I remember walking into Sharon School on the first day of third grade and being one of the only new kids. And the thing that I remember most is how inclusive everyone in my class was to me when we first met.”
Rachna Sridhar
University of Michigan (neuroscience)
Medicine
Sports: Cross country, track and field
Clubs: Future Medical Leaders of America, Girls Who Code, UNICEF, Model UN
Prior schooling: Sharon Elementary, Pond Road Middle
Person who inspires me: “My brother inspires me because he taught me how to use my imagination in order to achieve my goals.”
Favorite memory: “During my junior year, my cross country team and I got stranded at a Panera for eight hours in Rhode Island. It was one of my favorite memories because it really bonded us as friends and encapsulated the meaning of team. To this day, I can’t go in a Panera without having flashbacks.”
Erin Godfrey
University of South Carolina (psychology)
Sports: Field hockey
Clubs: Musical, concert and chamber choir, National Honor Society (president), drama club (marketing director), a cappella club (manager), Tri-M Music Honor Society, Hoppy Harmonizers community service choir (founder and director)
Prior schooling: Sharon Elementary, Pond Road Middle
Person who inspires me: “My grandfather because of his wisdom and strength. He inspires me with his strong sense of self and genuine happiness with his life despite a physical disability. Every time I’m with him, I learn the most valuable lessons about myself and the world.”
Favorite memory: “Opening night for my senior production of ‘Bring It On! the musical.’ The energy within the audience and the cast was infectious and an experience I will never forget.”
Aashna Reddy
Georgetown University
Physician
Sports: Cross country, track and field
Clubs: Future Medical Leaders of America, Bollywood fusion dance team
Prior schooling: Sharon Elementary, Pond Road Middle
Person who inspires me: “My parents. They are the most hardworking and compassionate people I know, and I hope that one day I can be as successful as them.”
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory was definitely our senior trip to Disney World. It was so special to bond with my friends and make memories that we’ll cherish forever.”
Pranav Penmetcha
UC Berkeley (mathematics)
Sports: Tennis
Prior schooling: Sharon Elementary, Pond Road Middle
Person who inspires me: “My father. He grew up in a small town and worked hard to eventually move to America and create an amazing life for his family.”
Favorite memory: “In 8th grade, my biology teacher Mrs. Reed put Craisins in Mountain Dew. The Craisins moved up and down in the soda, and Mrs. Reed told us that she put bugs in sewage water. She then proceeded to drink the concoction, and our entire class was stunned. We all thought Mrs. Reed was psycho. To our relief, she eventually told us the truth, and we continued with our lesson about the six characteristics of living organisms.”
Shannon White
Villanova University
Nurse
Sports: Tennis (captain)
Clubs: Future Medical Leaders of America, National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, student at All For Dance, church youth ministry
Prior schooling: Sharon Elementary, Pond Road Middle
Person who inspires me: “My dad is the most inspirational person in my life because he is not only the hardest worker I know, he is also motivated to help others reach their goals. It amazes me how much my dad dedicates to me. I one day hope to be as caring, genuine and compassionate as him.”
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory from my K-12 schooling is being on the high school tennis team. From friendly competition on the courts to team bonding, the tennis team is a part of high school I will never forget.”
This year’s Execptional Seniors are Pranav Penmetcha, Ashvin Ravi, Rachna Sridhar, Aashna Reddy, Erin Godfrey, Megan Singh, Shannon White, Rebecca Liu, Alli Bassman-Lyons, Jessica Michal and Colin Riley.,
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