Photo: Chris Emeott
The Class of 2025 is full of dedication, leadership and creativity.
This article originally appeared as part of the story Senior Spotlight in the August 2024 issue. Read the profiles of other inspiring Edina seniors here: Anoushka Jha, Natalie Mosakowski, Drew Dillon, Katherine “Kat” Mulgrew, Audrey Castro, George Rerat
Our Senior Spotlight is a cherished tradition that celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of exceptional students in their final year of high school. This year, we asked schools in our area to nominate students who are exemplary in dedication, leadership and creativity. We honor these seniors for their unwavering commitment to excellence. This is just a snapshot of these talented individuals.
Vihaan Shah, 17
Edina High School (EHS)
Life changed in the blink of an eye on one summer day in July 2019 when Vihaan Shah got hit by a car. “I used to live carefree, going about my day. I feel like my accident prompted me to embrace a more intentional way of living,” Vihaan says. “I feel like I’m more cautious. I take things so much slower now. I’m intentional about the way I work. I’m more reflective of things.”
Vihaan didn’t have any residual damage, no broken bones or fractures. He did have to undergo one year of rehab. He says he was angry at the world for a period of time until he met someone else who was paralyzed from the waist down in an accident. “I’ll always remember that boy’s smile. I was just so mad at everything and everyone. From that day onward, I live more gratefully,” he says. “I need to cherish the life I’ve been given. That’s changed my perspective of how I go about life and view people.”
He’s used his gratitude to improve the community around him. “Vihaan’s impact is on the total school,” Julie Block, counselor at EHS, says. “From athletics to robotics, Vihaan has strived to do his best for the benefit and empowerment of others. His biggest passion is volunteering in the community. He focuses his volunteering in the youth sector. Since COVID-19, Vihaan has worked at the elementary schools to lead youth to get back in the flow of things.”
After his accident, Vihaan’s mother wanted him to stop playing football and choose a contact-free sport. He found ultimate frisbee. This year, the varsity team won state championships and placed second in Nationals in June. He also is a part of the Green Machine robotics team and has qualified for worlds over the last few years.
Vihaan was driven to success by his wildly successful brother, Yash, who is five years older to him. Before his car accident, he wanted to be just like his older brother and tried following his footsteps into debate. However, after his accident, Vihaan realized he had to find his own path.
“You don’t have to be like anyone else,” he says. “Try everything no matter what. You’ll know what you want to put your time into. You can only be fully devoted to one or two things. Early on, if you explore many avenues, you’ll find the right way to go.”
Vihaan says it’s important to focus on yourself. “I was trying to plan out my whole life. I have to be like this person, this person … You don’t have to do that at all. You can’t be worried about what other people are doing. When you’re too worried about what other people are doing, you’ll think you are not doing enough or good enough,” he says. “Even the top people who are at those amazing schools, even then they don’t think they’re doing enough. You will always meet someone who is going to be better than you or doing more than you. But the second you stop focusing on other people and start focusing on you, you will find the thing you are good at. You’ll become the student you used to compare yourself to. And you won’t even realize it. Just slow down. You’ll find what you need to do.”
After high school, Vihaan wants to focus on “fintech” or financial technology, a marriage of business and computer science.
Activities
- Robotics
- Edina Ultimate Varsity
- DECA
- Leading Investments Club
- Ambassador of MN Business Venture and CEO of the camp
- Awards and Achievements
- 400 volunteer hours
- DECA – first place in case study and district top test score
- Robotics: qualified for Worlds
- Letter in Community Service and on track for a third letter
- Ultimate – won D3 State Championship (2024) and D1 State Championship (2023)
Edina Magazine extends its appreciate to the team at Mr. Paul’s Supper Club for its use of the restaurant as a backdrop for our Senior Spotlight feature photo shoot.
Mr. Paul’s Supper Club, 3917 Market St.; 612.259.8614; Instagram: @mrpaulssupperclub
