I recently sat down with the Class of 2011’s (presumed) valedictorian and salutatorian and talked with them. From my interview I could tell both Bhasi Nair and Jessica Chao are very humble and down to earth people. Both of them are hard workers and it seems that they take time out to enjoy life.
Wildcat Tales: How does it feel being class valedictorian?
Bhasi Nair: I don’t really know how to describe it. Plano Senior High is pretty cool and all these people are going to go out and do all these great thing, so it feels pretty cool to be a part of class of 2011.
WT: How do you think you have attained this status?
BN: I would say my teachers taught me well, definitely a bit of hard work, I don’t really stressed over it. I’m much more relaxed than anything else so I think that really helped a lot. A lot of other people tend to stress out over things but I’m much more chill. I think that going steady and balancing my life has put me where I am. Honestly I think I would have burned out. I’m always hanging out with my friends.
WT: What has been your favorite memory at Plano Senior?
BN: Wow that is tough. It’s not just one single memory; I guess you could say seeing Dr. Dean around campus. Seeing him interact with the students. That is not something I will ever forget. He was the coolest principal ever. I am really grateful for what he did for all of us.
WT: What do you see yourself doing in 20 years?
BN: I want to start my own robotics company, selling robots that make doing household chores easier. I also wouldn’t mind being a professor. My dad is a professor he is pretty chill so I wouldn’t mind being that. I hope that I make enough money with my company so that I can buy the cowboys. That is my dream so if I buy the cowboys that will be pretty cool. The Jerry Jones of 20 years from now.
WT: Who inspires you?
BN: A couple of people. One my dad he really inspires me. He is mature and funny. I like to think of myself as getting my humor from him. Also guys like Einstein and Newton. The musicians I listen to inspire me too. A lot of people have an opinion about Kanye but I like him and Eminem. Also some of the old school rappers like Tupac, Diddy, their lives inspire me. I really derive a lot of inspiration from football players. Football to me is like a symbol of a battered life. So it would be people like Joe Montana.
WT: If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?
BN: One, my grandfather. I was never able to see him. I was very young when he passed away. My dad always talks about how cool he was. And President Obama. That would be really cool. I did a lot of campaigning for him and I really love his message and even though he is not that popular anymore I’m still a fan. So having dinner with President Obama would be really cool!
WT: If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
BN: Maybe The Amazon Rainforest of the pinnacle of Mount Everest. From the movie the Bucket List that was one of their things and that seemed pretty cool.
WT: What is your favorite moment in history?
BN: I really want to say the Civil War and President Lincoln’s leadership. I would really love to witness that. I know that at the time people didn’t really think that it was that great. It would be really cool to go back and see that because now we think of him as the greatest president. One moment in particular would be the Gettysburg address. It was so short yet so powerful.
WT: Is there anything you wish you had done?
BN: Back in the day I was more athletic than I am now. I probably would have kept that athleticism up and kept playing all these sports. I would have played football in middle school if I could go back.
Wildcat Tales: How does it feel being class salutatorian?
Jessica Chao: It feels pretty cool. I feel like I have attained this by trying my best and putting in a lot of hard work.
WT: What has been your favorite memory at Plano Senior?
JC: My favorite memory is, well I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but it is watching my English teacher, Mrs. Holsinger, literally eat someone’s homework in AmStud last year.
WT: What do you see yourself doing in 20 years?
JC: I’m thinking about becoming a lawyer, so hopefully by then I’ll have a very successful career.
WT: Who inspires you?
JC: A lot of people inspire me. People who can overcome great obstacles, people who make a positive impact, creative people, Lady Gaga.I see everyone as a “teacher” for me. I can learn a lot from them.
WT: If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?
JC: Lady Gaga, I’m not a huge fan of her style of music but I find her a fascinating pop culture phenomenon. Having dinner with her would most definitely be an interesting experience. Furthermore, I’m doing a speech in AcDec about her influence over today’s society, so it’d be awesome to see her perspective.
WT: What is your favorite moment in history?
JC: It is not really a “moment” but 1863 is when year that Édouard Manet exhibited his “The Luncheon on the Grass,” which basically marks the beginning of modern art.I love art history and the majority of my favorite art pieces are from modern works influenced by Manet’s exhibition so that is the closest I can think of for a “favorite moment in history”.
WT: Is there anything you wish you had done?
JC: I wish I had been able to get to know more people in high school. There’s lots of great people at Plano, but with such a large student body and with everyone’s busy schedules, it’s really hard to branch out and truly get to know
