Zaffar ready for any challenge

Here's the latest in a series of Q&A's that theTalon is doing with students and staff members on our campus. This interview was conducted by staff member Aryanna Rivera.

Fariah Zaffar is taking three electives to get on the path to becoming a neurosurgeon.

Name: Fariah Zaffar

Year in school: Freshman

Q: Do you enjoy being at this school? What do you like about it?

A: Clayton Valley has been great so far honestly. It was intimidating at first but it is for

everyone, right? My classes have been pretty good so far, I'm enjoying my electives. Everything has been good so far. The campus is nice, I've met some new people and I'm just enjoying high school so far.

Q: What electives do you take and why?

A: I'm taking three electives, one is a zero period. But I'm taking psychology, Spanish 2 and

medical terminology. And I choose them honestly cause I thought that medical terminology would align with my career goals of becoming a neurosurgeon. Spanish two because I have to as I already took Spanish one and I actually really enjoy Spanish and psychology because I think it's a very interesting class and I also think everyone should take at least one psychology 101 course.

Q: What are your hobbies and why do you enjoy them?

A: One, baking: I really enjoy baking because to me it's very therapeutic and I also enjoy the joy of sharing my creations with other people like friends and family. Two, rock climbing: I've only recently been interested in rock climbing but I think it's really enjoyable and it clears my mind while also challenging my determination, physically and emotionally. Three, coding: I've been learning how to code and I really enjoy it. I enjoy the aspects of learning how to code partly because I enjoy learning new things but mostly because I want to learn how to create apps and games.

Q: So you enjoy baking and sharing your creations, why?

A: I just really like to share something that I've made with others. It's an opportunity for

criticism of my desserts and a way to show appreciation for friends and family. The criticism also helps to obviously improve my baking skills to improve myself and to improve the amount of satisfaction people get from eating my food. And when they do enjoy it, it makes me feel a bit proud.

Q: Rock climbing, a new hobby for you, would you consider yourself a very athletic

person?

A: Not crazy athletic or anything but I'm definitely somewhat athletic. Rock climbing can be

pretty challenging depending on what problem you're working on. But that's what I enjoy about it. It's a challenge for me, physically and mentally. And I do love a good challenge.

Q: Coding, what led you to trying it out?

A: I learned about it, and I thought I might give it a try. I've definitely been enjoying it. It's fun

and new. And I enjoy learning new things. Coding also has so many possibilities in the world and could potentially be a helpful skill if I get good at it. There are also so many aspects to it, almost like a puzzle. A puzzle or a challenge I enjoy these types of things, so it ultimately led me to coding.

Q: You've talked about challenges a lot, do you enjoy challenges and tricky

problems?

A: Yeah I kinda do. Challenges can be fun and stimulating to the brain. Challenges on new

topics can lead me to new interests or hobbies. My goal of becoming a neurosurgeon is going to have a lot of hurdles along the road, so getting used to challenging myself now will be helpful down the road.

Q: Would you consider yourself a very caring or compassionate person?

A: Yeah, a caring and compassionate person I would hope so. I enjoy hanging out with friends

and family. I'm a social person. I love to share my baked goods with them sometimes, or simply sit down for a chat. You know the typical friend stuff.

Q: Would you consider yourself extroverted or introverted, or a little bit of both?

A: Definitely a little bit of both. Like I like to hang out with friends and family and just be a

social person. But I also enjoy my alone time, my down time to just relax and have some therapeutic time to myself. To do my hobbies like I've mentioned coding or baking. Both activities are very therapeutic for me, they put my mind at ease, doing something that's fun and entertaining while also creating something while I'm at it.