Graduation has finally arrived for the Brownell Talbot Class of 2025, and as tassels turn and caps fly, the journalism team takes a moment to celebrate a special senior. For the final senior snapshot of the May issue, we turn to the one and only Editor-in-Chief, Tanya Bachu.
Tanya joined the BT community in eighth grade and found her place. Over the years, she has built connections across different grade levels, something she treasures deeply: “I love how I’m friends with people in multiple grades. It’s not just seniors hanging out with seniors–instead, I feel like there’s lots of cross-grade friendships, which is super nice.” Whether during House events, Spirit Week, or just lunch in the Commons, Tanya embraced the close-knit nature of BT.
On campus, Tanya leads as President of the National Honor Society, Editor-in-Chief of Verbatim, a House leader, and a member of the Head of School Advisory Council, Culture Club, and Academic Decathlon. She was also part of the Science Olympiad team and the tennis team where, in a memorable freshman season, she won a state title for No.2 singles: “Winning state tennis my freshman year is a day I’ll never forget.”
Outside of school, Tanya volunteers at a hospital, plays tennis with her dad, and works at Orange Leaf. Alongside her responsibilities, Tanya loves to relax with her favorite show: Friends. She shared, “No matter how I’m feeling, it never fails to make me laugh. I know every episode like the back of my hand.”
Of all her roles, journalism has held a special place in Tanya’s heart. From staff writer to assignment editor to co-editor and now Editor-in-Chief, she has loved watching Verbatim evolve with each issue. “Dr. Low keeps the class laid-back and funny but still expects us to get things done. It’s been amazing seeing the final publications come together,” she says.
Senior year brought both freedom and reflection. “Senioritis is so real, but I think I had freshmanitis, sophomoreitis, and junioritis too,” Tanya said. But the joy of senior traditions—from sunrise and retreat to prom, prank day, and the senior trip—has made her final year unforgettable. She shared, “I’m so excited to live somewhere new and meet new people at college, but I know that when May rolls around and all the senior events hit, I might get a little nostalgic.”
Even as she says goodbye to BT, Tanya’s next chapter is already unfolding. Her hard work during the college application process paid off in great ways. She was accepted into Harvard University, Columbia University, Duke University, Emory University, Tufts University, WashU, Georgetown University, the University of Michigan, and Tulane University. She is committed to the B.S. + M.D. Physician-Scientists program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Albany Medical College in upstate New York.
Tanya shared how she has grown throughout high school: “I’ve learned to enjoy spending time alone, focus on my goals, and work on becoming the best version of myself.” Her advice to underclassmen is simple but important: “Focus on yourself and your goals, not others.”
She credits much of her success during high school to her college counselor and House dean, Mrs. Vander Vorst: “She’s been such a steady, supportive presence through everything. Even when things felt chaotic, she was always calm and smiling.”
Tanya shared what she will miss the most: “The little things like seeing the same faces every day, the inside jokes with friends, and lunch conversations at the senior chairs. I’ve gotten used to the same routine, but I’m so excited to leave at the same time.”
This summer, Tanya plans to keep things chill—working at Orange Leaf, spending time with family and friends, and going on a few trips.
Next time Friends is mentioned, we won’t just think of Chandler or Phoebe—we’ll think of Tanya and smile softly to ourselves, knowing she’s off doing amazing things, just as we always knew she would.
