After spending days focused on formulating code, Nakul Bajaj (12) stands in front of his creation projected across his eyes, one of his many accomplishments on a screen being displayed as his joyful face peeks through.

Nakul spent his youth moving from city to city and experiencing new communities, which is what initially sparked his passion for computer science. These defining moments in his childhood opened up his mind to many possibilities of solving problems and broadening his sense of government and politics. Over the summer of 2019, Nakul and his colleagues spent their time looking into voting ballots and learning the structure behind this political machine. Nakul describes it as one of the accomplishments that was an eye-opening experience and gave him new insight into computer science politics.

“I think that was a defining moment of my childhood because I realized that, even in Silicon Valley, even though I love computer science and technology, it’s not the only way to solve problems,” Nakul said.

Sanjay Rajasekharan (12), who has known Nakul since first grade, acknowledges how, over the years, not only has their friendship grown, but their individual love for computer science has also flourished.

“We’ve done a lot of programming stuff together and we just kind of developed our diverging interests, but we’ve always been able to support each other in those interests and relate to each other,” Sanjay said.

Nakul’s family has also shaped him to be who he is today as his family plays a big role in his decision making and his life.

“One of the things I do everyday is definitely talking to and taking care of my sister. We’re nearly about a decade apart in age, which makes the process sort of interesting – learning from my parents how to take care of my sister,” Nakul said. “That entire activity has been quite fun. And I just think it’s just something that’s more humanistic, and it’s definitely much more interesting.”

Upper school mathematics teacher and Nakul’s advisor Gabriele Stahl recognizes how he has matured and developed into who he is today.

“He was a deer in the headlights in his freshman year. I remember our first one-on-ones when he was barely able to look me in the eye and hold a conversation,” Stahl said. “Now he is a grown man and we can have a regular adult conversation so he has come a long way in those four years.”

Along with Nakul’s passion for computer science and dedication to his family, close friend Vishnu Jaisim (12) recognizes Nakul’s character in everyday life, recalling what it was like first meeting him.

“I remember just feeling like I was in good company. I feel like he’s like a sounding board – he would be there and just listen, and that was my first impression of him. He was a really good listener, and he was always there,” Vishnu said.

Nakul’s characteristics and his passion have been noticed by many around him, but what he wants to be known for shows a deeper perspective into who Nakul is beyond the screen.

“I want to be remembered for my open-mindedness. So, as I mentioned, consider all available options, but seriously think about every single perspective that’s out there,” Nakul said.

Sanjay also comments on how Nakul’s characteristics reflect on the work he has done throughout high school.

“I think he’s a really family-driven person. He’s somebody that sticks with what he cares about,” Sanjay said. “He’s become a more mature person. He started to understand that there are things he doesn’t know, and then he realized how to learn from other people and just became a better person.”

In a broader sense, Nakul hopes to ensure that, even in the high-speed nature of Silicon Valley, everyone remembers to take care of themselves and keep in touch with the larger goals of life.

“I wish people just cared more about themselves in the sense that they cared more about their own well being and mental health. I hope people realize the triviality of these different decisions or the assignments we complete or anything like that compared to the broader goals in life that you have,” Nakul said.