Rishabh Raniwala, Wilton High School
ANational Merit finalist, Rishabh Raniwala secured himself a slot as co- valedictorian of Wilton High School. With debate, soccer, robotics and community service keeping Raniwala busy, it is not a shock he plans to double major in either public policy, computer science or physics at the University of Chicago.
Q: What life lessons stand out most to you over the past few months?
A: I would say the life lesson that stands out to me most from over the last few months would be that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Whether it be planning a graduation ceremony around coronavirus and changing state guidelines, scheduling Zoom calls and socially distanced hangouts with friends to stay in touch, or trying to stay somewhat productive during quarantine ( I would say I did this by significantly improving my cooking skills), the last few months have given us a lot of opportunities to make lemonade.
I know that going forward, I will be able to use the mind- set I have developed over the last few months to face whatever challenges I might encounter, and to keep turning lemons into lemonade.
Q: What’s something that people get wrong about you and your classmates based on your age?
A: I’d say that the common perception that people my age are underestimated in terms of what change we can effect in the world is generally false, at least in my experience. I have found that most people know that high schoolers have the ability to complete meaningful projects in the world today, which is helpful since a lot of those projects require cooperation across age groups.
Iwould say the one thing that people do get wrong, however, is that a lack of life experience due to our age invalidates our worldview. On the contrary, I think that my classmates and I are more receptive to new ideas and creative thinking which puts us in a better position to take into account multiple perspectives on issues and to empathize with others.
Q: What will you miss most about your hometown and Connecticut? And what are you most looking forward to?
A: I think I’ll miss my days in the Wilton Library with my robotics team the most, along with hanging out with my friends at each other’s houses and going for Qdoba afterward for a quick bite to eat.
In Connecticut, I’ll miss Southwest Cafe, my favorite restaurant that my family and I make sure to go to every year for my birthday — next year will be the first time in almost 10 years that I won’t have gone. I’ll miss bowling with my friends, and I’ll miss driving around in my own car.
However, I’m looking forward immensely to the next chapter of my life at the University of Chicago. I cannot wait to meet new people and make new friends, to take on new academic challenges, and to explore the city of Chicago.