Get to Know: Tomball High School’s 2022 Valedictorian & Salutatorian

TOMBALL –  Tomball High School Valedictorian Ami Shah and Salutatorian Arhaan Dhukani will lead the way during THS’ graduation ceremony. Let's get to know the two seniors.

Tomball High School will graduate its senior class on Friday, May 27 at 9 AM inside Reed Arena on the campus of Texas A&M University. 

AMI SHAH
Tomball High School
Valedictorian

What are your plans after you graduate from Tomball High School?
After graduating, I plan on attending the University of Texas at Austin where I will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Ultimately, I hope to become a software engineer, and create computer programs to solve real-world problems, as well as work in machine learning.

What has been the best part about attending Tomball High School?
The best part about attending Tomball High School is its diversity: from the student body, to the multitude of courses and clubs offered. The community atmosphere at Tomball High School encourages everyone to explore their individual interests, which has allowed me to learn about new subjects I was not previously familiar with. I appreciate that I was able to tailor my curriculum and extracurricular activities towards the college major that I eventually chose. Further, interacting with a variety of people has helped me build connections, as well as obtain new values and perspectives.

What will you miss the most about high school?
What I will miss most about high school is the people I have met and the clubs I was a part of. Through organizations such as Computer Science UIL and competitions such as CodeWars, I have been able to further my passion in computer science, and collaborate with people that have similar interests to me.

What did you learn from your high school experience that you will take with you into college?
In high school, I have learned how to manage my time better with the extensive amount of homework and tests given in AP courses. Also, through group projects I have learned how to collaborate with others and value different ideas to reach a common goal. Lastly, because of the knowledge I have gained in different clubs and classes, I have learned the value in trying new things.

Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank my parents, Rakshay and Neha Shah, along with my brother, Ayush, for constantly motivating me, and helping me to reach my goals. They have given me endless opportunities and made sacrifices for me throughout the years to help me get where I am today. I would also like to thank all of the teachers, administrators, and support staff at Tomball High School that keep us motivated to learn and encourage us to bring our best to school each day.

ARHAAN DHUKANI
Tomball High School
Salutatorian

What are your plans after you graduate from Tomball High School? 
After graduating I plan on pursuing a degree in business at the University of Texas at Austin, where I have been accepted into the Canfield Business Honors Program. I will be double majoring in Business Honors in conjunction with Finance. Ultimately, I want to take the entrepreneurial route and start my own company. 

What has been the best part about attending Tomball High School? 
The best part about Tomball has to be the community. Tomball creates an atmosphere where students and teachers alike support one another and strive to be the best that they can be. People genuinely care about each other's passions and interests and aren’t afraid to show it. I will truly miss this community as it has shaped me to be who I am today. 

What will you miss the most about high school? 
I will miss the close bonds and friendships that I have had with my peers now that we are all going our separate ways. We have constantly supported one another in a multitude of different ways. We’ve grown together, ate together, struggled together, and played countless games of uno together. I would not be where I am today nor who I am today without the help and influence of all those around me. 

What did you learn from your high school experience that you will take with you into college? 
The interpersonal skills I gained during high school will serve me greatly in the future. The ability to socialize and connect with others around you is in my opinion the most important skill you can have. Throughout my high school experience I was able to make many friends, and I feel like I was able to make a positive difference in their lives. I believe that social skills are the key to ensuring not only a successful life but a memorable one. 

Who would you like to thank? 
I would like to thank my parents, Amirali and Salma Dhukani, who gave me complete freedom regarding school which allowed me to learn and develop on my own. This freedom prompted me to take my education into my own hands and allowed me to discover what I needed to do in order to succeed. Additionally, I would like to thank all of my phenomenal teachers who were pivotal to my success as they constantly motivated and supported me 

ABOUT TOMBALL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates over 20,500 students at 22 campuses.