Photo by: LifeTouch
The final months of senior year are full of emotional goodbyes, celebration, and anticipation, but for Saloni Mittal, the journey to this moment has been years in the making. As this year’s valedictorian, Mittal has spent countless nights balancing difficult coursework, deadlines, and expectations. Along the way, those experiences shaped not only her academic success but also the person she has become.
What sets Mittal apart is not just her ability to succeed, but her mindset along the way. While the pressure of being at the top of the class can feel overwhelming, she learned to change her approach to both academics and life. Instead of working for perfection in every task, she became more focused on progress. That mindset came from learning what actually worked for her, not just following the people around her.
“I stopped trying to do everything flawlessly and started focusing on doing things with intention, one step at a time, ” said valedictorian Saloni Mittal.
This shift in perspective allowed her to handle stress more effectively and provided a sense of balance, even during the most demanding courses the school offers. By staying focused on growth over perfection, Mittal can grow and succeed. In addition, it has also helped Mittal stay grounded when things become overwhelming, especially during the busier times of the year.
Beyond academics, Mittal’s motivation has been rooted in pushing her own limits while staying focused on her goals. Rather than being driven by a complete sense of competition, she emphasized personal growth in everything she pursued.
“I’ve always felt like if I’m going to do something, I should go all in and see how far I can take it,” said Mittal.
Her commitment to going “all in” extends beyond the classroom. Throughout her high school career, Mittal was actively involved in extracurricular activities that reflect both her leadership skills and her passion for making a difference. Being a part of several National Honor Societies, such as the National English Honor Society, the National Math Honor Society, and many others. Not to mention, she is involved in major clubs such as FBLA and DECA.
In addition to just being involved in clubs, Mittal, along with senior Kathine Fritz, founded their own club called Ability Awareness. Focusing on promoting inclusivity and understanding by educating others on different disabilities. With the club meeting twice a month, they participate in fundraisers and host enjoyable community activities.
“Saloni always finds time to think of fun, engaging activities for the community. Honestly, I don’t know how she balances all the work she has with the club. She always finds a way to attend the meetings and make it fun for everyone involved,” said cofounder Fritz.
Along with this, Mittal also stays active in sports and physical activities. Going to the gym whenever she can find the time, and playing not only high school volleyball but travel club volleyball as well.
During Mittal’s junior year, she was voted junior captain of the Kinnelon Girls’ Volleyball team, and the following year, she was voted Senior Captain. As a result of Mittal’s dedication and determination for the team, she earned a leadership role that reflected her commitment. Her teammates viewed her as someone whom they could rely on, both during school and outside of school.
“Having Saloni to look up to was amazing; her energy is unmatched, and she always knows how to lift people up,” said junior Jordyn Zilocchi.
Mittal’s uplifting spirit is something that seems to be carried throughout anyone who interacts with her, and in her final speech goodbye to KHS, she wants to make sure that “spirit” is the most valuable part of her message.
