Anuva Giri is graduating soon, and she is reflecting on her past four years at Hidden Valley High School. From an uncertain freshman in 2022 to a confident senior in 2026, she has learned numerous lessons during her high school journey.

Friends can be an integral part of one’s high school experience, and for Giri, many of her fondest memories were made with her friends. One of her most cherished moments was Senior Day this past month, when seniors visited their former elementary schools, attended a Salem RidgeYaks game, and participated in Hidden Valley’s second annual mock graduation. The event gave underclassmen a preview of what to expect in the coming years, and senior awards, superlatives, and the senior video were also revealed. Giri said, “My friends are a big part of who I am, so I want to make sure I’m still in contact with them.” She also said she is looking forward to meeting new people and trying new things in the future.

Giri reflected, “If I could give advice to my freshman self, I would say not to stress over every little thing and to just spend time with friends because high school goes by so fast.” One teacher she noted as having the biggest impact on her is Mrs. Dunford, her AP Physics teacher.

One of Giri’s proudest extracurricular activities is Lead4Change, which she participates in at Burton Center for Arts and Technology in the engineering program. Through Lead4Change, she helped fundraise and earn money to create STEM kits for underprivileged fifth grade students in Roanoke County and Roanoke City.

A cause she would like to support in the future is heart health awareness in rural communities because she is interested in learning more about medicine and healthcare. Giri said, “I want to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Giri will attend University of Virginia in the fall, where she plans to major in human biology on a pre health track. Congratulations to Giri as she prepares for this next chapter, and best of luck in all her future endeavors.