This week, The News profiles Lake Region Class of 2024 Honor Essayist Bhavnish Tucker of Casco.

Parents: Maloti Tucker and Brian Tucker

School organizations/sports: National Honors Society (president), Student Council, Class Officer (vice president), varsity Cross Country, Track & Field

BN Question/Answer

BN: People often wonder how a student becomes the top student in their class. What has it taken for you to achieve this incredible honor?

Bhavnish: I believe what was paramount to my academic success was the desire to simply learn and embrace the classes in which I was enrolled and engaged. Rather than solely focusing on them as a means to an end or the idea that partaking in a class upholds a reputation or grade, I always reminded myself that I chose my academic route based on what interested me and challenged my perspective and mind. Ultimately, it was essential to prioritize a fulfilling education over one that simply satisfied an arbitrary standard.

BN: Was there a situation or moment during your high school years that posed a major challenge to you and ultimately changed you as a person or student?

Bhavnish: Losing a loved one is never easy, and there’s no right or wrong way to handle those situations and process grief. For me, I had initially approached loss as something entirely separate from my work and academic life; thus, I was to continue devoting all my efforts to work while processing and grieving in my personal time. But when I became easily tired and overwhelmed when attempting to complete my work, I began to realize the effect that loss had on me. It didn’t matter which version of myself I felt I was at the moment; loss ignored that and demanded that I take time away from all activities to simply rest. From this experience, I learned that it is entirely okay to just put things down when you need a break. I found those around me beyond understanding, and this allowed me to step back and take time to process my situation.

BN: Name three things from your high school days you are most proud of and why.

Bhavnish: Undoubtedly, I am most proud of all my wonderful classmates who worked immensely hard and overcame many obstacles. Not only were there struggles as a class we faced, such as overcoming our COVID introduction to high school, but each and every individual triumphed in their own manner and grew from those experiences to become stronger and kinder people.

I also find myself immensely proud of the self-growth that I experienced throughout my years. Each year was an opportunity to reflect and challenge myself to grow in unprecedented ways and face topics that had troubled me before. Whether forcing my mind to observe and study new perspectives and foreign knowledge or placing myself in a social situation where I would have to overcome my anxiety, I can confidently say that I have made strong bounds in the right direction.

Lastly, I am greatly proud of the growth I have made as an athlete. While I suppose this is still considered self-growth, I felt it was necessary since, in some ways, it was something I did not expect. I began my journey of running as hesitant and downright reluctant, but somehow over time I quickly thawed and became deeply fond of the sport and lifestyle of running. Whether pushing myself beyond my physical and mental limits or finding time to appreciate a shared activity among friends, strangers, and competitors, running positioned me to learn and grow more than I ever thought I could.

BN: What was the greatest lesson you learned during your high school days, and how will it help you in the future?

Bhavnish: Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned throughout my high school days was the notion that one should never take life so seriously and instead attempt to take occasional steps back to acknowledge and appreciate life. It is undoubtedly deceptively easy to become overwhelmed with life, and that’s why it is all the more important to take brief moments to simply appreciate your circumstances.

BN: What is next for you? Where are you headed? Have you decided on a career path, and if so, what led you in this direction?

Bhavnish: I am continuing my education for my undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago while pursuing Psychology and Philosophy. I remain quite open to all interests and possibilities and have not set myself up for a particular career within the field.