At Revere High School, some students stand out not just for their academic achievements but for their dedication, passion, and commitment to growth. While many fault in the face of obstacles, a very dedicated some will look their struggles in the eye, forcing themselves to persevere.
Rasika Veerapan, an RHS junior, proves that though there are obstacles to be faced, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel that is hard work. Whether in the classroom, on the debate stage, or engaging in thoughtful discussions, Veerapan leaves a lasting impression on both her peers and teachers.
Beyond speech and debate, Veerapan’s academic prowess is evident, especially in her AP Micro and AP Macroeconomics classes. Her teacher, Rachael Walgate, describes her as:
“The most on-task, hard-working, participatory student. She is always paying attention, on top of her information, and prepared ahead of time,” Walgate said.
She also highlighted Veerapan’s ability to engage with current events, making discussions in class more dynamic.
“She’s really good at taking in content, especially in AP Economics, to have current event reflection, to see how the concepts work in real life,” Walgate said.
Veerapan’s approach to learning is unique. Walgate explained: “She’s open-minded and always looking at how she can make herself better as a student. She understands that if you get something wrong, it helps you learn it, and she takes that and moves forward.”
When asked about her own experiences, Veerapan shared: “I think my biggest focus has always been growing and improving in whatever I do. Whether it’s academics or speech and debate, I want to challenge myself and keep pushing forward. I don’t just want to memorize things for a test—I want to actually understand them.”
Her determination to master material is something that truly stands out. Walgate recalled a moment that impressed her.
“She popped in after school one day, and even though she had done well on an assessment, she still wasn’t satisfied. She wanted to know why she got things wrong. She wasn’t just studying for a grade—she wanted to truly master the material,” Walgate said.
Veerapan’s close friend, Ria Mahapatra, has known her since elementary school.
“I’ve known her for a while, probably since elementary school actually. I don’t think we were really close in elementary school, but then when we got to middle school, we had a few classes together. And then in high school, we’ve kind of always been together for the school year because we’ve always been in the same kind of classes. And I think that increased even more this year because we had micro and macro together,” Mahapatra said.
This commitment to growth is something Mahapatra has also noticed.
“She definitely grew a lot this year through speech and debate. Her category is a little harder to place in, so she didn’t really have as much success as she wanted the past two years, but she definitely saw a difference this year,” Mahapatra said.
Veerapan reflected on her speech and debate journey. She explained how her journey to real growth was not a straight path. Rather, it was a winding path of hours and hours of dedicated work.
“I remember struggling a lot in my first couple of years. I would go to tournaments, and sometimes it felt frustrating to not place as high as I wanted. But I didn’t want to give up. This year, I focused on refining my skills, working harder, and really understanding what makes a strong argument. I think that mindset shift made a difference,” Veerapan said.
Mahapatra and Veerapan have shared many memories through speech and debate, an extracurricular that demands a significant time commitment.
“It’s a really big commitment. People don’t think it is, but we have practices two to three times a week, and they usually can run up to two hours each. And then the tournaments—we have 14 to 16 tournaments every season. The season runs from November to March, and we have them every single Saturday. Those take up the entire day. We’ll be at the school at six and then get home 12-13 hours later,” Mahapatra said.
Despite the challenges, Veerapan finds speech and debate rewarding.
“It’s exhausting, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The experience of competing, the friendships I’ve built, and the skills I’ve gained are worth it. It’s helped me develop confidence, critical thinking, and the ability to articulate my ideas clearly,” Veerapan said.
Veerapan has also developed strong organizational skills to balance her commitments. She stays on track with assignments by meticulously planning her workload, using a planner to track deadlines, and breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
“I make sure I set aside time for each subject so I don’t fall behind. If I know I have a tournament coming up, I’ll adjust my study schedule accordingly,” Veerapan explained.
Her ability to stay disciplined and proactive in managing her responsibilities ensures that she excels in both academics and extracurriculars. Her strong presence in the classroom has had a lasting impact on her teachers.
“She makes it more interesting because she’s always up-to-date on current events. She can ask really good questions, and she’s really good at taking in content, especially in AP Economics, to have current event reflection, to see how the concepts work in real life, and she’s really good at bringing that up and making those connections, which makes it more interesting for everyone,” Walgate sai.
Mahapatra also reflected on how she has seen Veerapan change over the years.
“I think she’s grown a lot. We’re really only close in micro and macro. We have pre-calc together, but we don’t talk in that class because Ms. Gillette does a lot of stuff. But academically speaking, I feel like she’s grown a lot. We’ve kind of done that class together, learned all this stuff together. And then personally, through speech and debate, she definitely grew a lot this year. Her category is a little harder to place in, so she didn’t really have as much success as she wanted the past two years, but she definitely saw a difference this year,” Mahapatra said.
Walgate echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Veerapan’s commitment to gaining knowledge and not just good grades.
“Oh, definite growth. AP classes are always hard. She’s very smart. She’s the type that will work to master everything, and at first, not mastering content is very normal in microeconomics. But going back to where you’re going wrong, understanding, and then moving forward to gain more knowledge and get it right instead of letting that bring her down—she’s determined to just continue moving forward.”
Looking ahead, Veerapan has high aspirations for her future. She hopes to continue challenging herself academically and professionally, seeking out environments that foster intellectual and personal growth.
“I just want to keep improving. Whether it’s in speech and debate or in my academics, I want to challenge myself and see how much more I can grow before I graduate,” Veerapan said.
Her belief in surrounding herself with driven and supportive people is reflected in those closest to her. Veerapan’s friends and mentors push her to improve, while she, in turn, inspires those around her to strive for more. Walgate noted: “She’s the kind of student who makes those around her better just by setting such a strong example.”
Veerapan’s commitment to both academics and extracurriculars serves as an inspiration to her peers. Whether it’s excelling academically, deepening friendships, or pushing herself to improve in speech and debate, Veerapan continues to embody the qualities of a dedicated and driven student. Her ability to connect classroom knowledge with real-world issues and her relentless pursuit of mastery make her a standout member of Revere High School.
At Revere High School, some students stand out not just for their academic achievements but for their dedication, passion, and commitment to growth. While many fault in the face of obstacles, a very dedicated some will look their struggles in the eye, forcing themselves to persevere.
Rasika Veerapan, an RHS junior, proves that though there are obstacles to be faced, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel that is hard work. Whether in the classroom, on the debate stage, or engaging in thoughtful discussions, Veerapan leaves a lasting impression on both her peers and teachers.
Beyond speech and debate, Veerapan’s academic prowess is evident, especially in her AP Micro and AP Macroeconomics classes. Her teacher, Rachael Walgate, describes her as:
“The most on-task, hard-working, participatory student. She is always paying attention, on top of her information, and prepared ahead of time,” Walgate said.
She also highlighted Veerapan’s ability to engage with current events, making discussions in class more dynamic.
“She’s really good at taking in content, especially in AP Economics, to have current event reflection, to see how the concepts work in real life,” Walgate said.
Veerapan’s approach to learning is unique. Walgate explained: “She’s open-minded and always looking at how she can make herself better as a student. She understands that if you get something wrong, it helps you learn it, and she takes that and moves forward.”
When asked about her own experiences, Veerapan shared: “I think my biggest focus has always been growing and improving in whatever I do. Whether it’s academics or speech and debate, I want to challenge myself and keep pushing forward. I don’t just want to memorize things for a test—I want to actually understand them.”
Her determination to master material is something that truly stands out. Walgate recalled a moment that impressed her.
“She popped in after school one day, and even though she had done well on an assessment, she still wasn’t satisfied. She wanted to know why she got things wrong. She wasn’t just studying for a grade—she wanted to truly master the material,” Walgate said.
Veerapan’s close friend, Ria Mahapatra, has known her since elementary school.
“I’ve known her for a while, probably since elementary school actually. I don’t think we were really close in elementary school, but then when we got to middle school, we had a few classes together. And then in high school, we’ve kind of always been together for the school year because we’ve always been in the same kind of classes. And I think that increased even more this year because we had micro and macro together,” Mahapatra said.
This commitment to growth is something Mahapatra has also noticed.
“She definitely grew a lot this year through speech and debate. Her category is a little harder to place in, so she didn’t really have as much success as she wanted the past two years, but she definitely saw a difference this year,” Mahapatra said.
Veerapan reflected on her speech and debate journey. She explained how her journey to real growth was not a straight path. Rather, it was a winding path of hours and hours of dedicated work.
“I remember struggling a lot in my first couple of years. I would go to tournaments, and sometimes it felt frustrating to not place as high as I wanted. But I didn’t want to give up. This year, I focused on refining my skills, working harder, and really understanding what makes a strong argument. I think that mindset shift made a difference,” Veerapan said.
Mahapatra and Veerapan have shared many memories through speech and debate, an extracurricular that demands a significant time commitment.
“It’s a really big commitment. People don’t think it is, but we have practices two to three times a week, and they usually can run up to two hours each. And then the tournaments—we have 14 to 16 tournaments every season. The season runs from November to March, and we have them every single Saturday. Those take up the entire day. We’ll be at the school at six and then get home 12-13 hours later,” Mahapatra said.
Despite the challenges, Veerapan finds speech and debate rewarding.
“It’s exhausting, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The experience of competing, the friendships I’ve built, and the skills I’ve gained are worth it. It’s helped me develop confidence, critical thinking, and the ability to articulate my ideas clearly,” Veerapan said.
Veerapan has also developed strong organizational skills to balance her commitments. She stays on track with assignments by meticulously planning her workload, using a planner to track deadlines, and breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
“I make sure I set aside time for each subject so I don’t fall behind. If I know I have a tournament coming up, I’ll adjust my study schedule accordingly,” Veerapan explained.
Her ability to stay disciplined and proactive in managing her responsibilities ensures that she excels in both academics and extracurriculars. Her strong presence in the classroom has had a lasting impact on her teachers.
“She makes it more interesting because she’s always up-to-date on current events. She can ask really good questions, and she’s really good at taking in content, especially in AP Economics, to have current event reflection, to see how the concepts work in real life, and she’s really good at bringing that up and making those connections, which makes it more interesting for everyone,” Walgate sai.
Mahapatra also reflected on how she has seen Veerapan change over the years.
“I think she’s grown a lot. We’re really only close in micro and macro. We have pre-calc together, but we don’t talk in that class because Ms. Gillette does a lot of stuff. But academically speaking, I feel like she’s grown a lot. We’ve kind of done that class together, learned all this stuff together. And then personally, through speech and debate, she definitely grew a lot this year. Her category is a little harder to place in, so she didn’t really have as much success as she wanted the past two years, but she definitely saw a difference this year,” Mahapatra said.
Walgate echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Veerapan’s commitment to gaining knowledge and not just good grades.
“Oh, definite growth. AP classes are always hard. She’s very smart. She’s the type that will work to master everything, and at first, not mastering content is very normal in microeconomics. But going back to where you’re going wrong, understanding, and then moving forward to gain more knowledge and get it right instead of letting that bring her down—she’s determined to just continue moving forward.”
Looking ahead, Veerapan has high aspirations for her future. She hopes to continue challenging herself academically and professionally, seeking out environments that foster intellectual and personal growth.
“I just want to keep improving. Whether it’s in speech and debate or in my academics, I want to challenge myself and see how much more I can grow before I graduate,” Veerapan said.
Her belief in surrounding herself with driven and supportive people is reflected in those closest to her. Veerapan’s friends and mentors push her to improve, while she, in turn, inspires those around her to strive for more. Walgate noted: “She’s the kind of student who makes those around her better just by setting such a strong example.”
Veerapan’s commitment to both academics and extracurriculars serves as an inspiration to her peers. Whether it’s excelling academically, deepening friendships, or pushing herself to improve in speech and debate, Veerapan continues to embody the qualities of a dedicated and driven student. Her ability to connect classroom knowledge with real-world issues and her relentless pursuit of mastery make her a standout member of Revere High School.
