Senior Nishi Dalia has been an active part of the student body at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School. She takes part in clubs such as Student Council, Kennedy Cancer Society, Dance Exchange, The Torch and more. She is a well-rounded student who is hard-working and continues to achieve excellence. Dalia plans on attending Rutgers Business School in New Brunswick to pursue finance.
What was your favorite memory in high school?
Nishi: I would say just going to school events with my friends, whether it was the volleyball games, the lip-sync battle or Mr. JFK. It was just so much fun to socialize with people. I made a lot of friends this year and I’m going to miss our time together.
As all of the fun senior activities are coming up, which one are you looking most forward to and why?
Definitely prom because I love to dress up, and it’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a while. I can’t wait to be on the dance floor with my friends and make memories. It’s bittersweet because it’s our final event together before graduation day.
Is there a teacher here at JFK that influenced or motivated you a lot?
I have a few teachers to name. First, during the first semester of my sophomore year, I had Mr. and Mrs. Smith back to back, and I still talk to them all of the time. They’re the best teachers to talk to for advice and they check in on me. Junior year, I took AP Chemistry with Mr. Baginsky and I still see him everyday in the senior hallway. I’m really glad I took that class because as difficult as it was, I learned to challenge myself and I formed a bond with Mr. Baginsky. That same semester, I also had Mr. Farrell and I see him every morning and stop by to talk to him. He’s a great teacher.
What is the most important lesson you learned in your high school career?
I would say I’ve learned how to balance everything, especially during the beginning of senior year when I had to focus on college applications while balancing all of my school work at the same time so I don’t slack in school. It was really overwhelming at times, but it showed me how to manage my time and all of my responsibilities.
In your opinion, which year is the best year of high school and why?
I would say senior year, especially at the end, because we have all of these senior activities lined up and it’s our last moments at JFK that we get to spend together. I also feel like you change over the four years, and in your senior year you are going your separate ways so it teaches you to be independent and responsible because you’re going off to college. I feel like I’m at a good spot right now than previous years of high school, and I just get to enjoy these last few days with my friends.
What are you most excited to experience in college?
The independence and making friends. Since I’m going to Rutgers, I’ll be close enough to home, but still far enough where I’ll be living on my own over there for the first year. I can’t wait to make memories and also socialize more.
How do you feel as graduation is approaching?
It’s bittersweet because it’s something that I’ve thought about since freshman year and now it’s coming up really soon. I’m excited to graduate and start a new chapter in college, but I’m also going to miss seeing my teachers and being at JFK since it’s been four years.
In your opinion, what was the hardest part of senior year specifically?
Like I said before, balancing college applications and school work because I never had free time during those months. I was either revising my college essay or volunteering, so I can put that in my college application, and then I also had a lot of homework to do and I was taking AP classes so it was just a lot on my plate. But I’m glad that the hard part’s over and I am committed to a college, so I can celebrate senior year.
Do you have any regrets about something you wish you would’ve tried or a club/team you didn’t join during high school?
I kind of wish that I would’ve tried a sport because I was never an athletic person from the beginning, but now seeing all of the sports teams and how they are like a family of their own, it’s really nice. And we have nice sports teams at JFK, so I wish I would’ve done something like volleyball or track, but I was more of a club person so I have a lot of clubs and volunteering hours to make up for it.
Do you have any advice for the incoming freshmen class and senior class?
For freshmen, I would say to spend your time wisely, pay attention, and get good grades from the beginning because it will help you for college applications if you plan to go to college. But have fun at the same time. Go to school events and stay involved because the time goes quickly and you don’t want to have any regrets.
For the incoming senior class, spend time with your friends and enjoy your last year here. We have so many clubs and events at JFK, so make memories and have fun.
JFKMHS and The Torch would like to wish her luck for her future plans!!
