Finishing at the very top of his class, Cranford High School senior Kishan Shah said being valedictorian is something he has strived for over the past four years. Patch had the opportunity to ask a few questions of the Princeton-bound Shah about what it took and what it means to be the 2010 valedictorian.
Patch: What did it take, for you, to become valedictorian?
Shah: Hard work. Never accepting anything less than your best. But, you can balance it. Keep your eye on the prize.
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Patch: What was the best part of your high school career?
Shah: Probably music and choir, fun times. Crazy 24-hour bus rides, which I've done twice now. Ridiculously long rehearsals, being on the morning show on CBS. But it was all worth it.
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Patch: What was your favorite class?
Shah: Choir, because it was different from everything else. It's an experience.
Patch: What are you most looking forward to in college?
Shah: I think the freedom and meeting new people, and all the opportunities that are going to be available because there is so much stuff to do.
Patch: Where are you attending college? What will your major be?
Shah: Princeton University. I don't have to declare until I'm a junior, but I'm thinking of going into International Affairs.
Patch: Where else did you get accepted?
Shah: Yale, Brown, University of Pennsylvania, Amherst, Swarthmore and Rutgers.
Patch: What made you choose Princeton?
Shah: Well, number one, they have a great international affairs program - The Woodrow Wilson School of Public International Affairs. The campus and the town are gorgeous. I mean, it's amazing there. It was also the best economic choice, they gave me quite a bit of money, and their undergraduate program is really, really good. They really focus on the undergraduate program, unlike other schools that tend to focus on their graduate programs. Off-campus there are also amazing restaurants, so definitely take a look at those if you visit.
Patch: What are your goals for the future? (career, after college, etc.)
Shah: I don't really have any. I kind of want to wing it. I guess to be happy and be a good person, but other than that I'll see where life takes me.
Patch: Which do you think you'll enjoy more, college or high school?
Shah: I think I'm going to enjoy college more. They're just completely different. The only thing I'm going to miss is my mom's cooking.
