Juniors Sacha Peeters and Serena Bassous describe academic success as not about rivalry. Their academic achievements highlight consistent efforts and a strong commitment to learning.
“A lot of people try to compare themselves to me, and it’s so unreasonable,” Peeters said. “Don’t try to compare yourself to others. Just try your best — that’s all that matters. It’s your education.”
When GPA rankings were viewed at the end of freshman year, Peeters and Bassous were tied for the top spot.
“Neither of my parents really got the chance to go to college, so I kind of put that pressure on myself,” Bassous said. “I don’t want to waste my opportunity when they worked so hard to get here for me.”
According to Peeters, who spends nearly 20 hours a week managing his robotics team, his drive comes from personal goals, not pressure. Bassous balances a schedule of IB coursework while still making time to hang out with her friends to play Roblox.
“Something that’s really hard for me is that I can’t just sit down and say, ‘Okay, I’m gonna get this done,’ but I always get it done,” Bassous said. “Honestly, Ms. Lorden really helped me last year and this year — especially with the research paper in IB. She’s helped me stay organized, especially with long projects.”
Bassous and Peeters take IB French, a class with only six students. Along with that, they also participate in two AP classes each, adding to their coursework.
“I try to take the importance out of school,” Peeters said. “I know that sounds really bad, but the less pressure I have, the better I perform. Most people, when they stress a ton, tend to perform poorly.”
Beyond robotics, Peeters also uses his hobby of photography to help him stay grounded. He focuses on removing some of the pressure around academics by using photography as a creative outlet.
“A lot of people at Vandegrift are so stressed about their rank and GPA that they forget where we are compared to the rest of the country,” Bassous said. “You have to pause and remember that it’s not that deep.”
Both juniors credit their teachers and each other for helping them through their courses. Chemistry teacher John Schocken inspired Peeters to pursue chemical engineering, while for Bassous, supportive teachers like Ana Lorden helped her grow in confidence.
“When you get a high rank, people expect competition,” Peeters said. “But for us, it’s been about motivating each other as we grow together, academically and personally.”
