Subscribe Love

PESH announces top two graduates

by | May 10, 2018 | Education

The goal of the valedictorian and salutatorian at Plano East Senior High School was not to claim the top two academic spots in the Class of 2018, but to improve and do their best.

Finishing their public school careers at the top were valedictorian Rahul Hayaran, posting a 4.68 grade point average, and salutatorian Mohit Gupta, with a 4.67 GPA.

“It never was a goal. Rank is just a number at the end of the day,” Hayaran said. “I just worked to keep improving.”

The valedictorian was ranked third in his class through his junior year, moved to second last fall and overtook Gupta this spring to earn valedictorian honors.

He will attend the University of California at Berkley in fall to begin work on a double major that combines technology (electrical engineering and computer science) and entrepreneurship. There were only 51 students accepted to the program.

“Berkley is one of the few schools that offers the program,” Hayaran said. “I am interested in entrepreneurship. Computer science teaches you how to build something and business teaches you how to sell it.”

The valedictorian is the son of Roma and Sanjai Hayaran and moved with his family to Plano in 2006. He was born in India and lived in Japan and the United Kingdom before coming to Texas.

At PESH he was captain of Whiz Quiz, a mentor in Laser science and engineering research club, secretary of Computer Science Club, Pan American Student Forum chairman in Spanish Club and a member of National Honor Society and Plano History Club.

He credits his academic success to a simple formula of working hard in every class.

Gupta will attend the University of Texas at Austin in fall to study electrical engineering.

“I want to work at a technology company developing machines that don’t exist today,” he explained.

The salutatorian was the top ranked student at PESH his freshman year, dropped to second as a sophomore and reclaimed the top spot until Hayaran claimed it late in their senior year.

“It is not what drove me to succeed,” he said. “I just wanted to do well.”

Gupta is the son of Anil and Poonam Gupta and attended school in Plano from kindergarten forward.

At PESH, he was a member of the percussion section in the band, a National Honor Society officer and History Club president.

The Class of 2018 contains 1,335 candidates for graduation. Commencement is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco.

 

Joe Reavis • [email protected]

 

For more stories like this, see the May 9 issue or subscribe online.

Subscribe Love

0 Comments

Public Notice - Subscribe

Related News

WISD begins 2025-26 budget planning

WISD begins 2025-26 budget planning

The routine business of charting the financial direction of Wylie Independent School District is in progress and included a budget presentation at last month’s board of trustees meeting. As Wylie ISD prepares for the 2025-26 fiscal year, administrators are building a...

read more
Candidate for Collin College Place 4

Candidate for Collin College Place 4

Staci Weaver, a private school superintendent, said would like to contribute her skills, experience and dedication to ensuring Collin College continues to be a leader in higher education. The candidate for Place 4 on the Board of Trustees holds a bachelor’s degree in...

read more
School library bill passed

School library bill passed

Records relating to school library materials the child obtains from a school library. would be provided to parents. The Texas Senate has passed a bill that would require school libraries to tell parents what books their children had checked out as well as requiring...

read more
WISD artists shine at VASE

WISD artists shine at VASE

The artwork of 23 WISD high school students will advance to the state-level competition in San Marcos on April 25-26. Courtesy Wylie ISD Wylie ISD high school art students showcased their talent at the regional Visual Scholastic Arts Event (VASE) in Forney, earning...

read more
Most students receive measles vaccine

Most students receive measles vaccine

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reports 94.35% of Texas kindergarteners were vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella as of the 2023-24 school year, with 93.31% of Collin County kids having received the vaccines. As of Monday, March 3, the...

read more
Collin College election May 3

Collin College election May 3

Two members of the Collin College Board of Trustees have decided not to run in the Saturday, May 3, general election. Place 4 Trustee Greg Gomel of Plano, elected in 2019, did not file for re-election and longtime Trustee Stacy Anne Arias withdrew from the race. Arias...

read more
Public Notice - Subscribe