Double vals, one sal featured with HVA Class of 2025
HARDIN VALLEY — Hardin Valley Academy recently announced it has two valedictorians this year — Kaylin Mata and Lauren Johnson — while its salutatorian is Sameer Nathawat.
“I was unsure if I would become valedictorian because of the large size of our graduating class,” said Johnson, daughter of Karen and Christopher Johnson. “When I was told by all of the administrators that I was valedictorian, I was thrilled because it is something that I have been working toward for the last four years.
“I was not expecting it at all,” said Mata, daughter of Kervie Mata. “I was really surprised. I’ve worked hard in hopes of achieving this, so I was grateful for the work I put in.”
“I’m very happy to be my school’s salutatorian,” said Nathawat, son of Neelima Mertya and Laxman Nathawat. “It’s a result of the time and effort I’ve put into my classes, and I’m thankful for all the support I’ve received along the way.”
“I love HVA’s Pathway Programs and broad course offerings, which have allowed me to explore career paths and take classes that interest me,” Johnson said. “I am part of the Nursing Services Pathway in the Health Science Academy and will become a Certified Nursing Assistant after completing the courses.
“This pathway gave me real-world experience in healthcare when we went to an assisted living facility for clinicals, which has confirmed that medicine is the field I want to pursue,” she added. “Additionally, the teachers and counselors at HVA have been extremely helpful and supportive throughout my time at the school by doing everything from answering a simple question to helping me navigate school while having two broken arms during my freshman year.”
At HVA, “I grew a lot and gained a lot more confidence,” Mata said. “I learned that I’m capable of a lot more than I thought.”
At HVA, Mata received the Liberal Arts Academy Endorsement, Spanish Seal of Biliteracy and has earned the AP Capstone diploma,
She is president of Interact Club and a National Honor Society member.
“I’m planning to go to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in the Chancellor’s Honors Program and major in neuroscience,” Mata said. “I’m aiming to earn an MD and become a neurologist.
About any advise to younger high school students, “I would say to make sure to be present and make the most out of your time,” she added. “Make a lot of memories.”
Johnson has been named a National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction and Health Science Academy Student of the Month.
At the same time, she was awarded the Cross Country Coach’s Award, Excellence in SDC Pre-Calculus Award, Excellence in Honors Algebra 2 Award, Excellence in Chemistry 1 Award, Freshman Historian Award and Class of 2025 Problem Solver Award.
“I also am an all-state athlete for both outdoor and indoor track,” Johnson said. “At school, I am a Nursing Services Pathway Ambassador and am involved in track and field, cross country, the Student Council Executive Board, HOSA, National Honors Society and Math Honors Society.
“Outside of school, I have volunteered at UT Medical Center, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and Remote Area Medical Clinics,” she added. “I also have been a part of the Knox County Youth Health Board, Youth Leadership Knoxville, the Science Accelerating Girls’ Engagement (SAGE) Program and have attended the Governor’s School for the Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage.”
After high school, Johnson also plans to attend UTK and major in neuroscience with a pre-med focus.
“I also will be a member of the Chancellor’s Honors Program,” she said. “In the future, I hope to pursue medicine and become an orthopedic surgeon or forensic pathologist.”
As for advise, “I would tell underclassmen to use their time in high school to explore all their interests and to never hesitate to reach out to their counselors and teachers,” Johnson said.
Nathawat is a National Merit finalist, an AP Scholar with distinction and is receiving an AP Capstone diploma.
“I have interned at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as part of their Next Generation STEM Internship Program,” he said. “I am a junior coach for the First Tee of Greater Knoxville, where I teach kids the game of golf.”
Additionally, “I am a part of STEMbassadors, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honors Society and Scholars’ Bowl,” Nathawat added.
After Nathawat graduates, he plans to attend Cornell University, an Ivy League school, to study statistics.
“I would like to work in a field where I can analyze data or conduct research, so I am interested in being a quantitative analyst or data scientist,” he said.
