Meet Ranjit Nair, BASIS Oro Valley’s very own author and artist! Ranjit is a junior at BASIS Oro Valley who recently published his first poetry book.
His poetry collection is titled “The Weight of Tomorrow” and is currently available on Amazon. Ranjit describes the book as a poetic odyssey that “explores the struggles and victories of the teenage mind.”
“I’m very thrilled to have published my first book on Amazon. It’s a big achievement for me!” says Ranjit. “I greatly appreciate my family, friends, and teachers who have helped me get to this point. I’m proud of this accomplishment and excited to see what the future has in store for me.”
Ranjit has decided to donate all profits from the book to local organizations that support teen mental health. Learn more about Ranjit and how BASIS has supported his artistic endeavors.
How BASIS helped Ranjit pursue writing and art
Ranjit has attended BASIS Charter Schools since first grade. He says that BASIS has been instrumental in helping him express his creativity and grow his skills.
“The honors and AP literature and language classes I’ve taken over the years have helped me become a better writer,” he says. “I am forever grateful for my teachers, especially Mr. Bundy, Mr. Gudel, and Ms. Ard. From essays to creative stories, their feedback has given me countless opportunities to enhance my writing.”
In addition to writing, Ranjit is passionate about visual arts. “I’ve always been encouraged to pursue this passion at school, thanks to the amazing arts programs at BASIS,” he says. “In 2022, when I was in 8th grade, BASIS gave me the opportunity to design the Communication Journal cover for BASIS Charter Schools nationwide. I was one of the 9 winners out of more than 1000 entries, which was a great honor!”
Ranjit has been locally and nationally recognized for his talents
Ranjit has won awards for both his writing and art. At the 2025 Tucson Book Festival, Ranjit won the Young Artists competition. Tom Angleberger, a children’s book author well known for the Origami Yoda series, presented Ranjit with the award.
Ranjit also received an honorable mention for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, these awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for teen artists and writers. Ranjit entered the Drawing & Illustration category with a piece titled “I Ain’t Got Time!”
After graduating high school, Ranjit plans to study biology in college. At the same time, he wants to continue writing and publishing. “Writing and art have both become such a crucial part of my life,” he says. “These are true passions of mine and I hope to continue pursuing them into college!”
Congratulations to Ranjit for his recent accomplishments! We are sure that this is just the start of his inspiring journey as an author and artist.
To learn more about how BASIS Oro Valley helps students find their passions, visit our school page or sign up for a school tour. BASIS Oro Valley is proud to be the #1 Best High School in Tucson, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2024. With an accelerated curriculum for grades 6–12 and a variety of enriching extracurriculars, BASIS Oro Valley inspires students to achieve their best every day. Apply today to join our community!
