Welcome to the prestigious J. Clarke Richardson, where brilliance thrives and potential is always fulfilled. Located in Ajax, this Secondary School is a beacon of excellence, dedicated to growing the talents of individuals. Here, students are encouraged to explore their passions, pursue their dreams, and achieve success. Today, we have the privilege of meeting an extraordinary individual, a remarkable grade 12 student, Priscilla. Her amazing abilities and accomplishments have left a mark on the school community and beyond. As such, get ready to be inspired by her incredible journey and the impact she has made in her pursuit for greatness.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Well, in five years I would have graduated already, but I see myself continuing my education by getting my Masters. I’m not sure what I’ll be studying specifically, but I’ll figure that out once I start uni.
Why did you choose Life Science as a post-secondary pathway?
I chose Life Science because I love learning anything Bio related. From genetics to neurology, it’s all super interesting. I also plan on going into research post-grad, and Life Science is a great undergrad for that.
What tips do you have for upcoming grade 11/12s?
Hmm, that’s a good question. I have two answers to this:
Learn to balance your time. You don’t always have to focus on school, you should go out and enjoy life. That being said, don’t prioritise having fun over academics because that can affect you in the long run. Make lasting memories while you can, but make sure your grades are high enough for you post secondary pathway. It’s all about balance.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. I know this is super cliche, but it’s true. Throughout high school, I constantly pushed myself to do this and it one hundred percent helped me grow as a person. It’s definitely scary at first, but once you take that first step, all those fears wash away, and you become more confident in yourself.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love to play the piano. It’s been a hobby of mine for such a long time, and every year I find a new challenging song to play.
If you could change one thing about your high school journey, what would it be and why?
I don’t think I would change anything about my journey. I feel like everything that happened to me throughout high school helped shape who I am today, so I’m pretty content with my high school experience.
As a very talented musician, are you going to continue in your post-secondary pathway? What instrument would you choose: clarinet or piano?
I would love to minor in music, but I’m still thinking about it. Even if I decide against it, I’ll pursue music in my free time. Making me choose between clarinet or piano is like asking a parent if they have a favourite child, but I have to go with piano. I’ve been playing the piano much longer than the clarinet…and I’m a better pianist than a clarinet player.
Which class/teacher had the largest impact on you while in high school and what will you remember most about them?
I feel like taking music classes throughout high school has had a huge impact on me musically. It exposed me to a world of music I wasn’t aware of before and it definitely caused my love for music to grow.
As you are a band kid, what has been your favourite song that you have played, or what is the most significant to you and why?
My favorite band song is called What Is Hip and I played it in our school’s jazz band. It’s my favorite song because it was a fun funk tune, plus it was a good challenge.
What was the most surprising thing you learned during your time in high school?
I learned that life can change real quick. Since the majority of my high school experience was during a pandemic, I never knew when schools would be open or shut down. Like one month we’d be in school and the next, we’d be online. I remember in grade ten, teachers would speculate when shut downs would happen, and they would just tell us to get ready in case we went fully online. I just kinda accepted that anything can happen at any time, and all I can do is prepare for it.
Fun Question: what do you think is the most useless invention of all time and why?
I can’t think of a specific invention, but I will say [the Youtube channel] Five Minute Crafts make the weirdest inventions. Like I just want to know their thought process as to how any of their crafts are practical…or take five minutes. I’ve seen videos where they use cement to make the most obscure thing, and, last time I checked, cement takes way more than five minutes to dry.
As such, thank you so much for reading my article about the wonderful Priscilla Pradeepan! Here at J. Clarke Richardson, we can’t wait too see what she does next!
