Name: Neha Jafferali Classmate Q&A

Q&A with Junior Neelesh Salem

Neha Jafferali: What are your hobbies or some things you like to do?
Neelesh Salem: I like to play music cause I have three instruments that I play. I play oboe, piano, and
saxophone. I also used to sing in choir, and I’ve been learning piano since I was six.

NJ: What colleges do you want to apply to? Are you thinking in state or out of state?
NS: I’m pretty sure it’s just gonna be all in state, but I’ll still try Oklahoma [University] cause one of my
friends got a 1130 on their SAT and they got in, so I don’t even know how.

NJ: What’s one thing you think all kids should know that you didn’t know, and why?
NS: I think it’s manners and respect. Well, that’s two things, but they kinda fit into one thing, cause a lotta
younger people at least these days, they don’t really have any. Well, they might say thank you
occasionally, but they don’t respect older people.

NJ: What motivates you to work hard?

NS: Probably money, not gonna lie, it’s probably money. Actually, it is money. I don’t get why anyone
else would work hard. Maybe happiness, but money does buy happiness […], cause if you’re poor then
you’re not happy. Well, if you’re homeless, you’re not really happy. Have you ever seen a super happy
homeless person? They might be happy for a little bit, but overall, they’re probably really sad they don’t
have a house.

NJ: Would you consider yourself to be an introvert or extrovert, and why?

NS: Probably an introvert because I wouldn’t talk to people first unless they talk to me. I feel weird if no
one talks to me, but at the same time, I don’t want to talk to other people, so I think I’m mostly an
introvert.

NJ: Is there anything about yourself that you’ve always wanted to change?
NS: I wish my nose was smaller, and I also wish my voice was a little deeper. I also wish I didn’t have
smile lines cause there’s too much, and also when I smile, my chin does a weird thing [and] goes outward.

NJ: What are your red and green flags for a person?
NS: Red flags would probably be… I guess if they just don’t listen to what other people have to say, and I
guess if they’re fake to somebody that’s close to them. I think green flags is being nice, but also being
funny, and being pretty good looking. Oh, being ugly is a red flag.

NJ: What’s the best thing anyone has ever done for you? Is there any specific memory that comes into
mind?
NS: When, one day, I was just in school and everyone told me my hair looked good that day. Oh, also
when people wish me happy birthday […], or when my parents would throw birthday parties for me when
I was younger.

NJ: If your younger self could meet you as you are right now, what do you think they would be impressed
about?
Name: Neha Jafferali Classmate Q&A

NS: Probably how skinny I am. I guess I’m not that skinny, but how I look physically because I was super
super fat when I was younger. I couldn’t even do… like on the pacer test, I’d get 30 [laps on the running].

NJ: What’s at the top of your bucket list?

NS: Probably […] skydiving. I went indoor skydiving, so I’ll try jumping off a real plane, but not by
myself. Probably with someone strapped [to me].

NJ: Who do you see as your role model and why?

NS: Probably my dad. I think my dad is successful. He has family, a steady income, and he’s also really
nice. He keeps his emotions in check. He’s calm, but he’s also mean when he needs to be.

NJ: What is your greatest fear, and why?

NS: Probably losing a lot of money or dying. No, actually not dying. Probably knowing someone die
that’s in my family, or close friends dying or [getting] hurt bad.

NJ: Do you think people are mostly good or mostly bad inherently?
NS: Mostly bad. I feel like people tend to think for themselves. I mean, I still do that too. I’m pretty bad.
If someone was dying, but I didn’t know them, but if I donate blood I could save them, but someone
offered me ten billion dollars not to, I’d probably not do it.

NJ: What’s one thing you’ve experienced that has changed your life or the way you think?
NS: Probably seeing homeless people in New York or in India because I started realizing how much
money is worth. And also, when my parents pay a lot for something, and I look at the bill and it’s a lot,
and I’m like…dang…money.

NJ: Do you think it’s better to follow your heart or your head?
NS: Probably my heart. My heart, because it’s better than your head. I feel like you need to have a good
mix of both though, actually, because our heart makes our head work.