Q. In what grade are you?

A. I am a 2017 graduate of Emmaus High School.

Q. What was your favorite subject? Why?

A. I don’t know if I could pick just one. My two favorites, however, were probably physics and art. I really like how physics uses both logic and mathematics to solve real world problems in an almost intuitive way. As for art, I have always enjoyed expressing myself creatively through visual art and I have recently developed a strong passion for photography, which I explored through my AP Studio Art class.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. I have received several awards for academics and outside of school. This year I received the Marine Corps’ Scholastic Excellence Award for my academic achievements while in high school. Additionally, I, along with Andrew Ashmar, received the Freddy Award for the Outstanding Use of Lighting for our lighting design for Emmaus High School’s production of Miss Saigon. Lastly, I was also awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award - Gold Level for performing more than 250 hours of service in the past year.

Q. Were you involved in any extracurricular activities?

A. Yes! I was involved in many extracurricular activities, my favorites being pediatric cancer outreach and Boy Scouts. For the former, I was vice president of the high school’s Pediatric Cancer Club. As one of my roles, I helped organize this year’s Shave for the Brave. As a shavee, I raised $3,450, while the event raised over $70,000. Furthermore, I was also on the student board and video production lead of Angel 34, a local pediatric cancer foundation. In addition to serving on their student board, I also recently produced a promotional video for them voiced by film and television actress Christine Taylor.

I am also a Boy Scout and have obtained the rank of Eagle. As part of this process I completed an Eagle Scout service project, which involved the construction of an outdoor classroom for Willow Lane Elementary School. In addition to earning my Eagle Scout rank, I have also earned the honor of Vigil, the highest honor attainable in the Order of the Arrow (the Boy Scouts’ National Honor Society).

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania where I plan to pursue degrees in both physics and film.

Q. What do you consider your biggest challenge to date?

A. Obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts was a very difficult, but also a very rewarding challenge. The task took years from start to finish and required me to take on a lot of responsibility in ways I never had before. The process taught me many lessons, but the most important was probably how to be an effective leader.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I simply hope people remember me as someone who is approachable and eager to be friends with anyone.

Q. Who is in your family?

A. My mom Beth, my dad Michael, my stepdad Scott, my stepmom Angela, my sisters Stefania and Pandora, my stepbrothers Jacob, Stefan and Brooks and my cats Buster and Manny.

Q. Whom do you admire? Why?

A. My biggest inspiration is a slightly unusual one. His name is Donald Glover and what inspires me most about him is his ability not only to apply himself to a wide variety of artistic fields, but to do so with extraordinary success, and more importantly, with such passion. Donald Glover is an NYU graduate, a musician (having released music in several different genres), a stand-up comedian, a highly acclaimed actor and the creator and star of an Emmy Award-winning television show. His ability to branch across numerous fields and to be successful in each is a huge inspiration and has played a vital role in my decision to study both physics and film in college.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. I don’t know if I am really in much of a position to give advice. But I guess the one thing I can say is just be honest. Be honest with others and yourself, because I personally believe that all of your relationships will be better with honesty.