Class Of 2012—

Top Two Students Reflect On Their Success

By Eliza Hallabeck

Rising before the Board of Education this Tuesday, June 5, Ajit Singh and Erin Begg stood tall.

After being announced as this year’s valedictorian, Ajit leaned toward his mother for a hug as applause vibrated through the room, and after Erin was announced as this year’s salutatorian, she beamed a smile toward her father.

Ajit will attend Columbia University’s School of Engineering in the fall to study biomedical engineering, and Erin will attend the University of Pennsylvania to study nursing.

Both students shared some of their secrets to success this week in interviews with The Bee. 

When it came time to choose where he would further his education, Ajit said he took multiple factors into consideration: academic options, professional opportunities, and the school’s atmosphere.

“Students often do great things,” said Ajit, about Columbia University students, “not just for their own country, but for countries around the world.”

After researching Columbia University, Ajit said he felt like he would be joining a service-oriented group, which is exactly what he is looking for.

Ajit was born in India, grew up in Houston, and moved to Newtown for eighth grade.

From the start, he says, his father, Sanjaya, and his mother, Anu, have promoted value for education and hard work. His parents have been a constant source of motivation, and, he added, he cannot describe how much of an impact his mother and father have had on his life.

While Ajit says he has never found school hard, he tried to challenge himself through his extra-curricular activities.

As a member of this year’s Newtown High School Science Bowl Team, Ajit was one of a five-member team that placed third in the region, a first for the school. Ajit said he wanted to share a “huge shout out” to his team, adding as a whole the NHS Science Bowl Team supports and encourages each other to excel.

Ajit gave credit to his parents for instilling his value of questioning. From an early age, Ajit said he would ask his father about the world around him, and his father would encourage him to research the answers.

When Ajit was in third grade he became a Cub Scout. He earned his Eagle Scout badge two years ago after raising awareness and food for the Newtown Food Bank.

 Ajit also volunteered with the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company in his ninth and tenth grade years at NHS. At first Ajit said he could not understand why firefighters do what they do. “These men and women risk their lives for members of their community, for people they don’t even know,” said Ajit.

After spending a brief amount of time volunteering, he understood. The firefighters he witnessed, he said, are true role models for the community, and he said it was a great honor to help serve the community with them.

Two standout classes that helped shape him academically, Ajit said, were Precalculus BC and Calculus BC with math teacher and department chair Karen Sherman. Other teachers who helped motivate him, he said, were Christian Canfield, Christopher Carley, and Kim Lowell. He also wanted to express his thanks to the entire NHS staff and faculty for making his high school experience what it was.

“I hope they continue to be an inspiration to students for years to come,” said Ajit, “they are truly an amazing group of individuals.”

Ajit admitted he was nervous about fitting in when he started his high school career, but the staff and faculty at the school fostered his growth and development.

To other students, Ajit said, “It’s really important to ask questions and not just necessarily accept things for the way they are or the way you are told.”

Questioning, Ajit said, is what education is all about.

“As long as you can remember there is always more to learn, you will always be able to succeed,” said Ajit.

Parental Inspiration

Like Ajit, Erin credits her parents for helping her become who she is today.

At the age of 11, Erin got her first glimpse at her future career.

“For a long time I have kind of shadowed in the [emergency room] with my dad,” said Erin. “He works in the emergency room as a physician.”

Erin’s father, Bill, and mother, Leah, are inspirations, she said. Both her parents are extremely hard workers, and, she added, “I definitely think part of my work ethic has come from seeing them work so hard in their lives.”

Her parents work with her and provide advice and guidance. Both her parents, Erin said, “are cool.”

When she was 16, Erin started to really consider a potential career in the field of nursing. After seeing first hand what different health care providers do, Erin said, “I really liked what the nurses do.”

The Newtown native said she has always been a “math and science girl.”

“I’ve always loved math, I love chemistry, and took physics the last two years. I love that too,” said Erin.

She has had great teachers during her educational career at NHS, she said, like Mrs Sherman, who, along with teaching math, advises the high school’s Math Team, with which Erin has been involved. “She really is an awesome teacher,” Erin said.

 Erin is also a member of the high school’s National Honor Society, the World Language Honor Society, and she runs on the cross country and track and field team.

Outside of school Erin keeps herself busy too. She volunteers with the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and is an assistant coach for St Rose of Lima’s track team.

Erin said she is thankful for the support provided to her during her time at NHS by the staff and faculty at the high school. She also thanks the school’s administration.

“They’ve have done a fabulous job with all of the students and setting us up to succeed in our studies,” Erin said.

 Above all, Erin thanks her parents and the people in the community who have helped her grow.

While admitting she feels she has “been here forever,” she also thinks she is ready to move on to her college career.

“I’m definitely sad,” said the soon-to-be graduate, “but I think I’m ready.”

College, she said, will be a big change with many things to get used to. “I’m going to miss high school,” Erin said, “all of my teachers, friends, and family, but I am very excited for all the opportunities that college is going to present.”

Erin’s secret to academic success, she shared, is her work ethic.

“To be a good student you just have to work at it,” she said, speaking to other students with a high school or college career ahead of them. “You don’t have to be the smartest kid in the class, but you have to put in the time and do it well.”

School work can be overwhelming at times, Erin said, but work hard, study, and “you will do well.”