Grade: 12

Family members: Don (father) Michele (mother) Dana (sister)

Favorite subject: I love history, especially ancient history, art history, and theological history.

Activities: I have been a competitive club swimmer for 13 years, and I am also on Beca’s golf team. I am co-editor of Beca’s yearbook, president of Eco Club, head of Theater hair and makeup crew, a member of Beca’s retreat team, and head of homecoming committee. I am also the photographer of Beca’s pep club, the “God Squad.”

Next steps: I plan to attend a Catholic college and major in special education with a minor in history. I am looking to swim Division III for all four years of college, and I plan to complete a five-year program in which I could get my masters in special education.

Career goals: My future goals are to become a teacher and a swim coach, work with people with special needs, and make an impact on my students.

Heroes: My mom is definitely my biggest hero. She has taught me to always work hard and remember all of the gifts and talents God has blessed me with. She is the hardest working, most generous, and most faithful person I know. I would not be where I am today without all she has done for me and my sister.

Hobbies: My hobbies include swimming, Crossfit, golfing, painting and volunteer work.

Current job: I lifeguard over the summer at Saucon Valley Country Club, where I also teach swim lessons.

Volunteer/community work: For the past four years I have been volunteering weekly at Equi-Librium, a therapeutic horse farm in Nazareth. At Equi-Librium, I assist students with special needs ride horses. Equi-Librium is what sparked my passion for special education and my desire to work with people with special needs such as autism and down syndrome.

Likes: I enjoy swimming, horseback riding, watching football and hockey, working with children, and spending time with my friends.

Dislikes: I dislike math and feeling like I have not given a task my best effort.

Greatest accomplishment: My greatest accomplishment is overcoming personal issues such as mental illness and becoming the person I am today because of the obstacles in my life.

Advice for peers: Do what you love and what makes you happy. Remember you are strong and can do anything you put your mind to.

Julia Swan coordinates student profiles for the Bethlehem Press. Student profile subjects are selected by faculty and administration at the individual schools.