This previously ran in our 2022 June Senior Issue.

Indira Tatikola dedicated herself to a multitude of activities throughout her time in high school: taking on academic, athletic, and musical endeavors.

While at Emmaus, she participated in the American Computer Science League (ACSL), Student Government Association (SGA), and the girls tennis team. In the music department, she has played piano for five years, was in Concert Choir freshman year and Chorale the past three, and is currently the president of Chorale and vice president of Acca Bella. She has participated in PMEA district and regional chorus competitions during those years. 

Tatikola will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta to study computer science this fall. 

Stinger: Why did you choose to go into computer science? 

Tatikola: I took Programming 1 only to fulfill my computer and business requirement for graduation, but I ended up really enjoying the class -that was with Mrs. Brashear -and so I signed up to take Programming 2 as an independent study the very next semester. And ever since then, I’ve just been all-in on computer science. I think it’s a very mathematical field, and I’ve always been a math person. 

Stinger: What is your favorite memory from your years in the music department? 

Tatikola: If I think of a specific moment, it would have to actually be the Select [Choir] trip -Select [Choir] is like the Christmas caroling group. Our sophomore year we went on a Bethlehem trip and were just caroling in the streets of Bethlehem and it was just really cool to see all the people that loved our music. 

Stinger: What has been your greatest success? 

Tatikola: I think in general, just my growth has been my biggest success. I’ve just improved in every way over the last four years as a person, as a student, as a tennis player, piano player, musician, etc. … I’ve worked very hard and I think hard work pays off. 

Stinger: What are you most excited about leaving high school? 

Tatikola: I am really excited to just experience new things and set a new path forward. I hope to just adventure and experience new things and do things differently and kind of go into a world that I know nothing about. 

Stinger: What would you tell your freshman self? 

Tatikola: I would tell my freshman self to work hard, stay disciplined, do things that you like, join clubs and do activities and take classes that you like, and also, just trust the process … Trust that things are going to work out if you put the energy into it. 

Stinger: What advice do you have for underclassmen? 

Tatikola: I would say: do what you love, and work really hard, and don’t be afraid of being a try-hard or being an overachiever or being a nerd. It’s just you now, and it’s your success that matters, so work really hard in school and good things will come to you. But be yourself.