July 23, 2025
Analyzing It All: A Profile on Jojo Varughese
By John Myers
By Brianna Sylvain
Some of the world’s greatest thinkers began as observers. Astute observation has proven to be a critical step in learning, communicating, and problem-solving. For Jojo Varughese, a dedicated student at Kingsborough Early College Secondary School, observation serves as both a source of reason and a form of escapism.
Varughese acknowledges that he is “a lot more calculated than some other people” and tends to “overanalyze or overthink a lot.” He believes his analytical nature can make him seem “reserved.” However, when surrounded by his close inner circle, Varughese opens up and feels comfortable expressing himself.
He is held in high regard by the friends and family who make up that inner circle. His older sister, Jessica Varughese, shared that her brother “always demonstrates mental and moral strength when dealing with challenges.” She believes her brother being the youngest child is a large contributor to his resilience and grit.
Vera Vislocky, a close friend of Varughese, added that he is “intelligent” and “sensitive.” Vislocky remembers their friendship beginning in a ninth-grade chemistry class. The two bonded over their interest in advanced academic pathways and quickly became “extremely close,” said Vislocky.
Perhaps Varughese overthinking and calculated presence make way for the intelligence, strength, and empathy he is praised for. His introspection translates into thoughtfulness, and his constant calculation results in a deliberate, precise way of navigating the world. In both the classroom and his relationships, he draws on his ability to observe and analyze to foster growth and meaningful connection.
During his years of being a keen observer, Varughese has developed a deep appreciation for reason and discernible fact; this manifested in his passion for STEM. He loves the “set formulas and answers” that exist within STEM-related topics because of the solidity and definitive structure they provide. He appreciates how, within science, “you can really just analyze things” for what they are, without the opinions and nuances that are prevalent in humanities subjects. “It’s objective, not subjective…it’s just very solid,” said Varughese.
Varughese’s love of reason also permeates his personal life. Several of his interests outside of school have the structural elements that he is drawn to in math and science. “He’s honestly just a smart guy who has a few interests he’s hyper-focused on, specifically video games,” said Vislocky.
He enjoys playing and creating theories for “lore-based games and shows.” His personal favorites include Undertale, a role-playing video game created in 2015, and Deltarune, a game with the same characters that takes place in a parallel universe. “They’re a video game series that I have grown up with…I just love everything about it: the music, the gameplay,” said Varughese. He credits the “content and ongoing theories” within these games with keeping him “attached for an entire decade.” “I like when things have a background to it… I like when they have reason,” he explained.
This appreciation for context and layered meaning can be seen in Varughese’s developing passion for a new field: sociology. He took a sociology class this year, during which he felt extremely “motivated” in his work due to his genuine interest in the class’s content. He also appreciates how the principles of sociology can easily be pointed out in the real world. “I see a lot of the social issues around us…I like looking around and seeing how sociology actually applies,” said Varughese. He’s enjoyed observing how social issues, implicit biases, and other aspects of our society are “rooted in theories” and sociological concepts.
In every facet of his life, Varughese seeks out deeper meaning and logic, whether in the classroom, a video game, or society; it always comes back to deeper analysis. He’s drawn to subjects that require careful thought and it’s not just academic, it’s personal. Through observation and deep thinking, he intentionally forges his own path forward. His sister said of Jojo, “He has always been a curious boy, whenever he sees something that piques his interest, he is unafraid to explore the area and possibilities it may bring.”
