THE CLASS OF 2017
CELEBRATING CLASS OF 2017 Samira Mehta – Valedictorian: Despite her obvious academic achievements, for Carroll’s 2017 class valedictorian Samira Mehta, “Success is not defined by ranking or GPA – success happens when you can look back and know you put your heart and soul into everything you did.” Anyone familiar with Samira and her time at Carroll would agree her words follow her actions. Mehta has been a Carroll student for 12 years, during which time she has challenged herself, set goals for her future and discovered some of her biggest passions. “I liked the fact that I was able to take as many AP classes as I wanted,” she said. This allowed her to explore her interests early on and prepare for her heavy college workload. She loves science, and her favorite classes were AP Biology and AP Physics C – both challenged her, but she found it “fascinating to learn about the world and the way it works.”
68 • INSIDE CARROLL
Outside of her regular academic schedule, Mehta is involved with several clubs and organizations, including Carroll Medical Academy and the National Spanish Honor Society. She is also both the founder and president of the Southlake Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC), a club whose mission, she explains, is “to spread cultural and international awareness throughout the Southlake community through service projects.” One of her favorite memories from her work with the JWAC is working with Isla Urbana, an organization fighting the water crisis in Mexico City. During her junior year, Mehta was invited to visit Mexico City and help install a rainwater collection system. She was able to meet and speak with many of those in the affected community, which she says motivated her to “continue helping those without a voice.” This summer, she will return to Mexico City as an Isla Urbana student leader, and intends to continue working with them for years to come. In the fall, Mehta will head off to the University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to study biology. She most looks forward to the “vast research opportunities” that will be made available to her in college. She hopes to go to graduate school and learn how to make the world a better place with her scientific knowledge. As she sets off, Mehta follows a piece of advice given to her by her dad: “Do what you love,” he tells her. “Then it won’t seem like work!” Emma Lin – Salutatorian: Class of 2017 salutatorian Emma Lin feels very lucky to be a Dragon – regardless of each student’s unique background, says Lin, there is a shared value of excellence and service that feels universal. “It’s a unique experience,” she recognizes, to have “traditions that cross cultural and generational boundaries.” Lin has been a student of Carroll nearly her whole life – she came to the district during first grade, and has thrived here ever since. She is the oldest of three sisters – both siblings (Amber, 7, and Katy, 13) attend Carroll schools as well. Her parents, she says, are also very involved in the community. On top of their regular jobs, both Lin’s mother and father are involved with the PTO, the AP Booster Club and the Debate Booster Club Board.