GPA matters. When it comes to the end of senior year that B in Art that should have been an A can hurt you.

Students intent on achieving the title of valedictorian or salutatorian know this and they perform at the top of their class 100 percent of the time.

The Colt met with this year’s top two, valedictorian Vivian Nguyen and salutatorian Ben Lee, and spoke with them about their accomplishments.

The Colt: Was becoming valedictorian or salutatorian a goal of yours? Why or why not?

Vivian Nguyen: I didn’t even know what ranking was until freshman year.

Ben Lee: To be honest, titles are not important to me, being able to say that you did your best with everything is what is important. I try my best with every single thing I do in fear of one day looking back and realizing that I didn’t try my best.

TC: Did you set this goal as a child? If not when did you make this your goal, and why?

VN: No, I didn’t really know what ranking was.

BL: No, I knew I was number two for a long time but honestly didn’t start really caring about maintaining it until this last semester.

TC: What does your study routine look like? Has it changed over the years? How?

VN: I study at night, I don’t really have a routine but I make sure to take lots of breaks so I don’t exhaust myself.

BL: I much rather study at night, I start when everyone goes to bed and usually study until maybe three in the morning. I prefer to study at night because it’s quiet and nobody will mess with you at 3 in the morning. In addition I rely heavily on Spotify.

TC: How have you stayed motivated?

VN: The source of my motivation comes from my family, it’s is a built-in expectation to do my best. Also, Ben and I are friends so sometimes the competition is fun.

BL: I think it comes from family, but honestly my family doesn’t even stress to me to do well because they just expect me to do well.

TC: Did you ever come close to giving up? How did you get over it?

VN: Sometimes I feel like I should have slept more, I still think that, but it was worth it.

BL: No I never really came close. It is worth the hard work, looking back I do not regret not giving up.

TC: How did your family react?

VN: My family has high expectations for me so they were pretty happy but I think they expected this of me. I think they were really proud of me but I also think they don’t care very much about it.

BL: First of all I think my family only sees high school as a stepping stone for my career. But that being said, my family was ecstatic for me, even more excited than I was. It’s funny because even when it wasn’t official my parents were like ‘Have you finished your speech yet?’.

TC: What would you tell students who want to become valedictorian or salutatorian to motivate them?

VN: That shouldn’t be a goal because it’s really nice to have but it’s only a side effect of everything you are supposed to do.

BL: It shouldn’t be a goal it should simply be an achievement. The main thing is, do not slack off in ANYTHING.