Geetanjali Gubba: Valedictorian Extraordinaire
By Kalyani Giri
Last updated: June 07, 2009

SUGARLAND: At the very young age of 4, while visiting the NASA Space Center, Geetanjali Gubba had an epiphany of the galactic type. She had this yearning to become an astronaut and wander amidst the stars, a weightless free spirit in a space suit. Then in middle school, a science project on propulsion further cemented her love of rocketry. Her dreams are poised on the brink of being realized as the 18-year-old academic superstar walks onstage at the Toyota Center June 6, 2009, and takes the honors as the first valedictorian of the first senior class graduating at the William B. Travis High School in Fort Bend County School District. Bright, articulate, and determined, with a very definite vision of her goals, Geetanjali will attend the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering at Needham, Massachusetts in the fall to study mechanical engineering and later, pursue a career with NASA where she hopes to be part of the Mission Control team.

How does this young lady feel about delivering that crucial valedictory address to a hall full of her peers, parents, and teachers?

“Thrilled, exhilarated! I feel a sense of responsibility and accomplishment being the first valedictorian. I’ve written my speech and the central theme will be about those true heroes who believed in us and supported us and helped us get this far,” said Geetanjali who scored the highest GPA making her Travis High’s numero uno student. Someday in the future she would also like to serve as a liaison between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization.

The daughter of well-known local community activists and volunteers Siddeswar and Aruna Gubba, Geetanjali and her younger brother Subhash were nurtured in a close-knit family environment where cultural values were instilled from an early age. The family migrated from India to the USA when Geetanjali was a toddler. They lived in several cities before settling in Houston when Geetanjali was a first-grader.

Dad Siddeswar is a consultant in the medical research industry and Aruna has a bachelor’s degree in math and physics, and works as a computer programmer. Geetanjali shares her parents’ love of math; she founded and served as president of Travis High’s math honor society, Mu Alpha Theta.

How does she feel about embarking on the adventure of going out of state.

“Well, my choices were Rice, Texas A & M, and Olin. When I interviewed at Olin, I felt an immediate sense of fitting in, as there is a pretty large Indian population there and I’m hoping a lot of cultural activity. Olin also was the better decision because they offered me an excellent package, so I wouldn’t be burdening my family needlessly,” explained Geetanjali sensibly. “Of course Boston will be cold, but without Houston’s humidity, I’ll be guaranteed pretty hair for four years!” she quipped.

She worried that her family will miss her but brightened visibly at the thought of visiting home often.

“To be a true freshman will be a completely new lifestyle and way of living. As we’re vegetarians, my mom is worried that I may starve out there, so much of this summer will be dedicated to cooking lessons! Survival food,” Geetanjali added ruefully.

Geetanjali has many interests. She is an avid sportswoman with a keen interest in soccer and badminton. She is a voracious reader of the literary classics and Shakespeare’s Hamlet is her favorite. She also studied Indian classical music for several years. Imbued early in life with the ethic of giving back to the community, the prolific teenager makes time to volunteer with organizations such as Ekal Vidyalaya and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and was part of the India Culture Center’s Youth Leadership Development Program. She has also volunteered with Peddala Seva (Service for Elders), reaching out to Indian elders and planning activities for them. Geetanjali along with mom Aruna helped found Telugu school at the Astalakshmi Temple and teaches the Telugu language to youth on Saturday mornings.

“There are a lot of children who couldn’t speak their native language, so there was a language barrier and a relationship gap between them and their families back home in India,” said Geetanjali, whose maternal and paternal grandparents live in India.

How do her parents feel about her achievements?

“They’re pretty excited. Of course without their loving support, I couldn’t have done it,” said Geetanjali pensively. She will miss her brother Subhash who will be starting his freshman year at Hightower High School in the fall. Undoubtedly, he has an exemplary role model in Geetanjali.