I, Pratham Joshi, had the privilege of being a student at GCPS, Pulgaon, where I spent my entire school life. Being part of the first nursery batch, I witnessed the school’s growth firsthand, a journey marked by invaluable experiences, friendships, and supportive educators. I am deeply thankful for the many good friends I made and the inspiring teachers who were always there to support me.

My academic journey at GCPS had its share of challenges. Until the 8th standard, I struggled academically. However, in the 9th standard, I decided to take my studies seriously. Despite not being a class topper, I excelled in science and mathematics. One memorable experience was during my 10th standard when our class teacher, Kavita Ma’am, asked us about our percentage goals for the board exams. I confidently aimed for above 90%, a goal that many doubted. However, not only did I achieve this, but my close friends Varun and Sanchit also scored above 90%, thanks to our collective hard work and the guidance of our teachers.

One of my biggest inspirations was our senior, Yash Chaudary. His dedication and achievements motivated us to aim higher, even in our JEE years. His influence made me more mature and taught me many valuable lessons.

GCPS was not just a place for academics; it was a vibrant community that celebrated every festival with enthusiasm. We had annual sports meets where each house competed passionately. I was honored to be the first student selected for the district-level chess tournament from our school at the taluka level. I was also part of the cricket team in 9th standard and captain of the football team in 10th standard. The annual gatherings were a highlight, where each class strived to deliver the best performance, supported by our enthusiastic teachers.

I am deeply grateful for the exceptional educators at GCPS. Nayak Sir’s innovative teaching methods made math enjoyable and easy to understand. Kavita Ma’am’s motivational words and simple approach to Hindi were inspiring. Manjula Ma’am taught us with the care and affection of a mother, and her emotional lessons on life left a lasting impact. Sachin Sir’s classes were informative and knowledgeable. I scored the highest in English in my batch, thanks to Dhananjay Sir’s guidance.

After completing 10th standard, I moved to Nagpur for further studies, aiming to become an engineer. However, the competitive atmosphere at coaching centers was daunting. Despite initial struggles and the setback of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting my coaching for several months, I persevered. In the end, I secured 4170 rank (general) in JEE Main and 5801 rank in JEE Advanced (general). Although I had the chance to get into an IIT, I chose IIIT Allahabad. I am currently in my 2nd year, pursuing B.Tech in the IT branch (engineering). My journey at IIIT Allahabad, like my earlier years, has been challenging, but I remain determined to never give up and continue working hard.

My time at GCPS has been instrumental in shaping me into the person I am today, instilling in me values of hard work, perseverance, and resilience. I am immensely grateful for the friendships, memories, and invaluable lessons learned at GCPS, which continue to guide me in my journey ahead.