Vaid Parakkuth. Photos: Chris Emeott
A collection of local academic A-listers.
Many annual events and daily routines took a pause during the pandemic, and one of them was our Plymouth senior student feature. Other things, like school, continued on despite the challenges. This year, we’re pleased to include the class of 2022 as well as 2023 in this special Senior Spotlight.
We called on local high school administrators to nominate a group of outstanding high school students, who will leave a positive imprint on their schools and communities after graduation. And, it was tough to decide who to spotlight this year. But careful decisions were made, and we got to learn even more from the students themselves. Now, we’re pleased to present a few of Plymouth’s many outstanding high school students.
Vaid Parakkuth, 18
Wayzata High School
“Vaid is a top student who thrives in some of our most rigorous course offerings. [He] enrolled in the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program to meet his academic needs, where he completed Calculus Two and Linear Algebra. In addition to completing college-level math courses, Vaid completed Intro to Economics and Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business at the Harvard Secondary School during the summer of his junior year. He continually seeks opportunities that will fuel his passion for learning.
“Vaid has made many positive contributions to not only our school but
on a global level. He has been volunteering for the ASHA for Education MN Chapter since he was a sophomore. ASHA for Education is a nonprofit organization that has a mission to catalyze socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged youth. Vaid led the public relations efforts for the Minnesota chapter. He also initiated a successful GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for this chapter. He truly has a passion for making this world a better place and hopes to use his business skills to make a positive change.” —Neeley Kauffman, school counselor
In Vaid’s Words:
What is the one thing that has shaped who you are today?
I would have to say my parents. They’ve always been there for me and pushed me to become a better version of myself.
What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork?
Outside of school, I love to read. I’ve always felt that reading so much has helped me become a much better writer and communicator. Other than that, I enjoy swimming, playing video games and hanging out with my friends.
More about Vaid Parakkuth:
- National Merit Scholar
- 13 AP Courses 13.0 GPA
- Participated in the University of Minnesota’s Talented Mathematics Program (UMTYMP).
- Attended the Harvard Summer Program for Intro to Economics and Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business.
- Volunteers for Asha for Education MN Chapter since he was a sophomore; led the public relations efforts for the Minnesota chapter; initiated a successful GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for this chapter
- Participated in the Business Professionals of America all four years of high school, elected club officer senior year
Joel and Jonah Mogeni, 17
Providence Academy
Joel (left) and Jonah (right) Mogeni
“Twins Joel and Jonah Mogeni have been terrific, problem-solving students at Providence Academy since their entry in middle school. As individuals, they have each contributed much to our community during their tenure and have developed into charismatic leaders who thrive academically. What their strong GPAs do not convey is their curiosity and enjoyment in pursuit of knowledge; how they love problem-solving in math, tackling tough concepts in science, talking about ideas in English class and how they become visibly excited about learning.
“Jonah and Joel bring a similar enthusiasm to their extracurricular endeavors. They have both been committed to our soccer, hockey and baseball programs, activities that Jonah says have led him to grow and given him ‘a brotherhood that would not be found anywhere else.’ Joel shares his brother’s relatability to peers and was chosen as one of a handful of Providence juniors chosen to lead a House this year.
“Both Joel and Jonah are respected at Providence Academy, inside and outside of the classroom due in part to their hardworking, ‘can do’ attitude and upbeat, friendly personalities. Both multi-sport athletes, Jonah and Joel find time to participate in extracurricular activities through PA student organizations, including investment club, Pacman club, chess club and multicultural club. Both brothers have also served as food shelf volunteers through their church and maintained part-time jobs assisting with administrative tasks for a home health care company.” —Sarah Hogan, director of college counseling and alumni engagement
In Joel’s Words:
What is the one thing that has shaped who you are today?
One thing that has truly shaped me today is my family. My parents have worked relentlessly to provide me with a great education at Providence Academy and the ability to participate in so many different extracurricular activities. My siblings motivate me to be a better student and bring out the best in me. If it were not for my family, I would not be the ‘Joel’ I am today.
What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork?
A hobby that I am passionate about is fitness. I enjoy fitness because I am able to not only able improve my physical health, but also have meaningful and positive experiences. One of my favorite pastimes was playing soccer with my friends, not for sport or competition, but for just “plain, old” fun.
In Jonah’s Words:
What is the one thing that has shaped who you are today?
One thing that has shaped who I am today is my faith. It grounds and sustains me in all aspects of my life. My faith is not just about having a relationship with God, but extending the same love God gives me to others in my life through action.
What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork?
A hobby that I am passionate about is exploring. I really enjoy learning about other people and their communities. It is the best way to learn about myself and my surroundings.
More about Joel Mogeni:
- Director’s List
- Academy Chorale
- Varsity Soccer Letter
- Hockey Letter
- Special Interest Clubs
- Food Shelf Volunteer
- Athletic Volunteer
- Administrative Assistant at Alliance Home Health Care
- CCX Media Nominee (soccer goal)
- House Leader
- Academic Excellence/ MN Soccer Coaches Association Award
More about Jonah Mogeni:
- Director’s List
- Academy Chorale
- Varsity Soccer Letter
- Varsity Hockey Letter
- Extracurricular Clubs
- Food Shelf Volunteer
- Athletic Volunteer
- Administrative Assistant Alliance Home Health Care
- Academic Excellence/ MN Soccer Coaches Association Award
Grace Petzold, 18
Providence Academy
Grace Petzold
“Grace Petzold is on an academic roll, like a golfer on a hot streak. Never satisfied with par, she has the ability to excel in many areas, putting herself consistently on our Headmaster’s List of Academic Excellence. Grace has excelled in our incredibly challenging college preparatory curriculum, and her greatest strengths lie in a keen ability to problem-solve in honors science courses, while pursuing an interest in psychology and criminology. Like a golfer moving up on the leaderboard, Grace is moving toward a fine college career, a fine future.
“Grace, a three-sport athlete (varsity golf, tennis and hockey), has honed many skills, especially in preparation for competitions. Grace is a true blend of the quantitative, athletic and artistic. She has a musical component to her core gifts and has enjoyed playing the alto sax with our Pep and Concert Bands. From where we sit in ‘the gallery,’ we expect that her future holds the equivalent of eagles and albatrosses (holes-in-one are not out of the question either!) and not bogeys; in other words, we recommend her with distinct pleasure and high expectation.” —Sarah Hogan, director of college counseling and alumni engagement
In Grace’s Words:
What is the one thing that has shaped who you are today?
When I was younger, my family moved around a bit, and I feel like getting to go to several different schools and live in different states has been something that has shaped who I am today. I think that because of this, I have grown to really love traveling and want to see and experience new things and places.
What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork?
When I’m not in school, I spend a lot of time on the golf course or hanging out with my friends. My dad and I are both big golfers, and he’s the reason why I started playing the game several years ago. I spend a lot of time playing with him here in Minnesota, and we love to play new courses on all our family vacations.
More about Grace Petzold:
- Varsity Golf (captain)
- Varsity Hockey
- JV Tennis (captain)
- Pep Band – alto sax
- MN Jr PGA Program
- Hurricane Jr Tour – placed
- 5th at Duke U tourney
- Golf Coach
- Individual Section Champion (Golf 2019, 2021)
- Team Section Champions (Golf 2019, 2021)
- National Student Leadership Conference (Washington DC)
Gray Paulsen, 18
Wayzata High School
Gray Paulsen
“Gray is a bright, quiet achiever who gives his absolute best in all that he takes on. He exhibits incredible patience, imagination and mechanical skills. When interacting with others, Gray is kind and compassionate, and he can draw people in and bring out their best.
“Gray is passionate about computer science and coding. Gray’s interests sparked when he was exposed to Lego Mindstorms as a child. He was able to use his imagination to create simple coding programs. In middle school, Gray coded a program with Raspberry Pi to set up a ‘cat cam’ to monitor his family cat. His curiosity continued to grow as he entered high school. Gray has completed many computer science programming courses through Wayzata High School and immersed his learning further through the InSpirit AI summer program.
“Gray has also used his strengths to help others. As an active member of Youth Extending Services, WHS Academic Mentors, and Center for Excellence Wayzata Community Education, Gray has helped numerous peers and youth by providing tutoring and mentoring sessions in computer science. He is such a well-rounded and bright student who will accomplish great things in life!” —Neeley Kauffman, school counselor
In Gray’s Words:
What is the one thing that has shaped who you are today?
I give my love of reading a lot of credit for shaping me into the person I am today. Books, both fiction and nonfiction, can teach us important lessons about our world and help us relate to others.
What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork?
Art, specifically graphic design, fills much of my time. Chances are, if I have a free moment during the day, I’ll be pulling out my laptop to work on anything from a cartoony celestial frog sticker to a custom dust cover for one of my favorite books.
More about Gray Paulsen:
- Designed the poster for Shades of Brown
- Coded a “cat cam” using Raspberry Pi
- Attended InSpirit summer program and worked on a coding project with a team to recognize human emotions through facial expressions
- Member of Youth Extending Services, WHS Academic Mentors, and Center for Excellence Wayzata Community Education
- Participate in Cross Country Running, Track and Field, and Cross-Country Skiing
