After four years of dedication and hard work, senior Sahil Dua has earned the title of Class of 2025 Valedictorian. In addition to this accomplishment, Dua has contributed to Westford Academy in many aspects. Whether it be as co-captain of the varsity swim and dive team, vice president of DECA, treasurer of National Honor Society, or one of the representatives of Student Council, Dua serves as an example of what someone can accomplish when they are dedicated and have a genuine desire to challenge themselves.
Despite balancing several different extracurricular activities during his high school career, Dua has felt the most drawn to the business field, with his passion culminating in his commitment to the Stern School of Business at New York University and his major in Finance. In the future, he hopes to get his master’s in business and become an investment banker.
Q: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A: I like knowing [that] what I do with life has a purpose to it.
Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: That’s probably spiders. I’m afraid of insects and all kinds of spiders.
Q: Who do you most admire?
A: My mom and dad. I look up to them as people.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to younger students?
A: Don’t procrastinate. And also sleep on time, because sleep is very important.
Q: What talent would you most like to have?
A: Being able to do cool magic tricks would be [a talent] I would like to have.
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
A: Last year, I got second place internationally in DECA. The event was for the business finance series, the corporate finance event.
Q: If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A: It would be a dolphin so I can swim freely in the ocean. I love swimming.
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
A: I speak really fast sometimes, so I think that’s probably my most prominent characteristic.
Q: What is one regret you have from high school?
A: Maybe not trying out different sports, I wanted to play volleyball before, but I never got a chance because of swim and other commitments.
Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: Finish my undergraduate, possibly work for a couple [of] years, do a master’s in business probably, and then settle down, have a family and have a good career.
Q: What was the most memorable class you took in high school and why?
A: It was AP Chemistry because [Timothy Knittel] was an amazing teacher, and all [of] the labs are always fun as well.
Q: What is your favorite memory from high school?
A: Going to all [of] the spags with the swim team for our competitions.
Q: What teacher has had the largest impact on you?
A: Mr. Knittel […] He’s an amazing teacher. He made chemistry really fun and my favorite subject last year, my junior year.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
A: [My parents told me] to work hard, but also to enjoy yourself and play hard as well.
Q: What’s the quality that you admire the most in others?
A: When people are honest and open to communicating.
Q: What is a challenge that you have had to overcome?
A: I broke my arm [near] my elbow in my junior year in August, and then I had to come back from that injury and swim in December, so [there was] a short time period to turn myself around and get back in shape. That was quite a challenge.
Q: Describe your perfect day.
A: Waking up late, going to the gym, hanging out with friends, watching some TV or playing video games, and then sleeping late.
Q: What is one thing people should know about you that they probably don’t?
A: I find it enjoyable to take tests and exams. It’s kind of like a nerdy thing to say.
Q: What would you like people to remember you for?
A: For being there for others and helping people out.
Q: What is a hobby of yours that, when you do it, you lose track of time?
A: Playing classical piano pieces. I like the Nocturnes by [Frédéric] Chopin.
Q: What is the toughest decision you had to make in high school?
A: How to balance my time between sports, clubs, academics, [my] job, and all these different areas of my life.
Q: Which song, movie, book, or TV show best defines who you are as a person?
A: I think it would be Shark Tank, because I’m a pretty entrepreneurial guy. I watch it a lot.
Q: If you could only bring three things to a deserted island, what would they be?
A: It would be a knife for hunting or cutting wood, a water filter because [of] filtering ocean water, dirty water, then finally, a tent for housing.
Q: People consider being named the valedictorian a great achievement. What is one time when you did not succeed?
A: Freshman year in my swim season, I wasn’t able to qualify for Sectionals or States, but I worked hard to qualify and score in my future years. I didn’t make anything my freshman year, but I made Sectionals as a sophomore, and then I made States [in] my junior and senior years.
Q: What made you realize that New York University is perfect for you?
A: It’s known for its amazing finance program and business school, but also, the location is really optimal because of all the finance companies located in Manhattan, and it’s good for internships or networking.
