Grade: 12

Family members: My family includes my father, William Cecchini and my younger sister, Sarah Cecchini, a freshman at Liberty.

Favorite subject: My favorite subject is English. I love all of the ways that literature can be analyzed and interpreted. Additionally, I enjoy expressing myself through words.

Activities: I am a member of the Grenadier Band and first company in the band, where I play saxophone, and the orchestra, where I play the string bass. I am part of the varsity swim team, varsity softball team and varsity cross country team. I am the sports editor of the Liberty Life newspaper. I am also involved in student government and a member of the National Honor Society.

Next steps: I aspire to attend the United States Naval Academy after graduation. It would be an honor to balance academics, athletics and professional training while putting my leadership skills to work and serving my country.

Career goals: I plan on pursuing a major in political science and possibly minoring in Chinese. I would like to have a career in international relations while serving in the Navy.

Heroes: While many people have influenced my life in various ways, my hero is my mother, Robyn Cecchini. I have never met a stronger, more determined person, and words cannot describe how much she has inspired me. I hope that I can become half the woman she was when I get older.

Hobbies: In my spare time I enjoy drawing (even though I am not very good at it), spending time with my friends and family, and listening to music and singing at the top of my lungs.

Current job(s): Over the summer, I am a lifeguard at Northwest Swim Club.

Volunteer/community work: I am one of the food committee captains of BASD minTHON that raises money for pediatric cancer. I also have worked with Special Olympics through swim meets and the Special Olympics track meet which is held at the end of the school year since freshman year. Finally, I mentor a child from Thomas Jefferson ES once a week all school year through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Likes: Of course I enjoy sports, my friends and being invested in my school. However, I also have a minor obsession with elephants. I have an elephant necklace, elephant stuffed animals, carved elephants, even an elephant steering wheel cover in my car.

Dislikes: I have a strong dislike for cats. I do not think they are adorable or cute. Cats make me sneeze and my eyes get inflamed. Northing good comes with owning a cat.

Greatest accomplishment (so far): My greatest accomplishment so far is my grades, and how hard I have worked to obtain the academic success I have experienced. The sense of drive and determination I have developed is one of my greatest accomplishments.

Advice for peers: Identify a goal, and with passion and determination, don't let anything stop you.

Julia Swan coordinates student profiles for the Bethlehem Press.