Q: What grade are you in?

A: I'm a senior at Emmaus High School.

Q: What is your favorite subject? Why?

A: My favorite subject has always been English because I love to read and analyze books and then debate their meanings with my classmates. In addition, I think the themes conveyed in literature are excellent looking glasses into the larger issues of the world and I enjoy being able to read something on a page and relate it to real life situations.

Q: Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A: I've won awards for academic excellence in French and environmental science and was student of the month last April for French 4 Honors. I'm a member of National Honor Society, National French Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. I've also ranked in district, regional and state choruses and placed first at the NATS singing competition in Broadway and classical categories.

Q: Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?

A: I'm the president of the drama department; treasurer of Kid-to-Kid, our anti-substance outreach club; an anchor and scriptwriter for ETV, our school's news station; a Hornet Ambassador; a PALS member; a singer in Chorale, Select Choir, Chorisma, and AccaBella and a cast member in all of EHS's plays. This year I'll be Lady Macbeth in our production of Macbeth.

Q: What is your next goal after high school?

A: I hope to attend New York University (fingers crossed!) to double major in Broadcast Journalism and French with a minor in Environmental Science.

Q: What would you say your biggest challenge has been so far?

A: This may sound strange, but I would say my biggest challenge in life has been trying to get over the challenges I've faced, whatever they may have been. When I was younger I would lament over the lemons that life handed me, but as I've matured I've learned to get back on my feet, forget about them, put a smile on my face and start a lemonade stand. Learning to overcome challenges was a big challenge in itself.

Q: What do you want to be remembered for?

A: I'd like to be remembered as a hard working, vivacious and entertaining person who always put forth her best effort and made people smile.

Q: Who is in your family?

A: My family consists of myself, my mom, Maryam, my dad, Peter, my little sister Meghan and my little brother Nicholas. But of course it wouldn't be complete without our cats Freddie, Melody, George and Bella.

Q: Do you have someone you look up to?

A: As cliché as it may be, I truly admire my mom. She's willing to do anything for my siblings and myself and has raised us with a great sense of what the world is like. She's always offering us little nuggets of knowledge and is an excellent motivator and encourager. I know that wherever life takes me she'll have my back. She also makes a mean turkey sandwich.

Q: Do you have any advice for your peers?

A: My advice is to find your "element." My communications teacher Mr. Didra told me about the element, it's the point at which personal passion meets natural talent. Find a career that encompasses what you're good at with what you love to do; then you'll be unstoppable.