Campbell High School’s valedictorian and salutatorian are the embodiment of the International Baccalaureate Organization, a group whose mission is "to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect." 

Suraj Bhat and Priyanka Krishnan exhibited this philosophy through their service activities and commitment to the study of other cultures in high school and beyond.

Bhat, the valedictorian, explained how he and other members of Campbell’s French Honor Society used their knowledge for good.

“We have this French Honor Society and we helped to translate this document that’s for the Carter Center,” he said. “It’s a manual essentially on how to teach professionals on how to encounter child abuse and exploitation of child labor.”

He also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity with Campbell’s salutatorian. Krishnan said that most of the extra-curricular activities she pursued in high school were service-oriented. In addition to Habitat for Humanity, she was also a member of the Interact Club, a service club sponsored by the Smyrna Rotary Club.

Krishnan will attend Duke University and hopes to become a doctor. In college she plans to study either biology or cultural anthropology.

“I’m thinking cultural anthropology looks really good and it’s really interesting,” she said. “I’ve always been interested in global health topics, especially like infectious diseases and things like that. So I know I kind of want to mix some travel with medicine.”

Bhat will attend Princeton and wants to study either engineering or economics, but might be able to pursue both.

“I’m pretty undecided right now, but it’s probably going to end up being engineering or economics,” he said. “Princeton has this program it’s called financial engineering, which is pretty cool.”

Bhat offered this advice to students who will start Campbell as freshmen next year.

“I think a lot of times in high school it’s easy to get caught up in a lot of things, but if you just keep your eyes on the prize type of thing you’ll come out well,” he said.

Krishnan advised students to take advantage of all high school has to offer.

“Be outgoing and try to find something you really like to do and try to find your own niche so you’re kind of prepared for what you want to do later,” she said. “You still have time in college, but try to explore. I think high school is a time to try different sports and clubs.”

Catch Bhat and Krishnan’s valedictorian and salutatorian speeches live at the Cobb County School District website at 10 a.m. Saturday.

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