Meet the 2022 Corcoran Valedictorian & Salutatorian!
We are so proud of all of our Class of 2022 #SCSDGraduates! Today, learn more about the Valedictorian and Salutatorian at Corcoran - the school's top two academic performers this year.Corcoran Valedictorian: Chadani K. Timsina
What are your plans after graduation?I will be attending Dartmouth College – I plan to pursue pre-med and hopefully become a doctor.
What activities have you been involved in outside of class/outside of school?
Seeds of Peace; Volunteer for Big Brothers, Big Sisters at Roberts; Played soccer for all four years in high school; National Art Honor Society; Upward Bound; Girl Ambassador program.
What was your proudest moment in high school?
For me, I like encouraging myself through the smallest things – it’s how I motivate myself to do more. But one of my proudest moments was being matched to Dartmouth through the QuestBridge Scholar program. I was also really proud to be named Valedictorian – I was expecting 2nd or 3rd in my class ranking, so I was surprised!
What are you most looking forward to about college?
Meeting new people, being able to be independent, and finding myself. I don’t want to be away from family, but I know it could also be a good thing because I’ll get to focus more on myself. I can’t wait to travel and enjoy events that the college offers. I look forward to being there!
What’s the best thing you’ve learned over the course of your time in the SCSD?
Asking for help is so important. I’m passionate about education, and you have to advocate for yourself. That’s also very important in college. Classes there are so big – I hear that professors may not know your name. I will advocate for myself because I want to make sure they know mine!
What advice would you give to other students as they continue their studies here?
A lot of things are fleeting, but your education will stay with you for your whole life, no matter what happens. Prioritize your education over everything else. Still have fun, still have friends. But put an emphasis on your education – that’s how you’re going to do all the things you want to do; that’s how you’re going to provide the life you want for you and your family. And a lot of students get discouraged about what other people say. What you say and what you feed yourself is all that matters. Don’t listen to anything negative that anyone says – your parents, teachers or peers. Only take in the positive. Work toward becoming a better version of yourself. It’s not worth listening to the mean people!
What is something major you hope to achieve in life?
Becoming a doctor! Many of my family members have underlying health conditions and I grew up in Nepal, where medical treatments were not that accessible. I’ve lost family members because of a lack of care or issues that doctors couldn’t diagnose. I want to become a doctor so I can provide for my family and other families that don’t know how to communicate with doctors because they may speak another language or be from a different background. I want to provide for minority communities who need a different perspective and a doctor who cares about them and meets their needs.
Corcoran Salutatorian: Grace Irish
What are your plans after graduation?I have decided to attend Williams College. I am currently undecided on my major.
What activities have you been involved in outside of class/outside of school?
Theater – musicals, plays; Seeds of Peace; Cross country; Crew team; Tutoring; Clarinet in the school band. I was also part of the Youth Declaration of Sentiments project – we rewrote the Declaration of Sentiments for the modern day and are currently working to distribute it and act on the things we wrote.
What was your proudest moment in high school?
One of them was at the end of the musical we just finished this year. The cast and crew gathered and discussed our time together and how we impacted each other. Hearing people talk about how I may have helped them throughout high school made me proud of how far my peers and I have come and the strength of my bonds with other people.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
I’m really excited to have more freedom in choosing my classes and how to spend my time. I’m excited to try a variety of new things inside and outside of the classroom. I hope to explore my interests, gain new passions, and learn from other people and experiences that I haven’t had here in high school.
What advice would you give to other students as they continue their studies here?
Have confidence in yourself. Have that sense of self-worth where you feel you’re deserving of an education, deserving of a balanced life. A lot of people prioritize one thing and neglect everything else. Have the courage to advocate for yourself and establish limits when you feel like you’re not getting those things. Although our world tends to value competition and toughness, please know that relaxing is not a waste of time and that showing kindness and vulnerability is a strength!
What is something major you hope to achieve in life?
My main goal is to collaborate with others to make a lasting positive difference in the world. I am not looking for a legacy- I just want to help others in some way and give all I can to mitigate the inequalities, injustices, and problems facing people, animals, and the environment. That would be very rewarding.
