Q: What grade are you in?

A: I am in grade 12 at Salisbury High School.

Q: What is your favorite subject? Why?

A: I enjoy most of my classes; however, out of all of them, physics is my favorite. I always liked math including algebra and calculus but it never seemed to apply to real life situations until physics class. Physics takes all of the math we have learned up until this point and uses it to understand why and how situations play out all around us. From going around a curve in my car, to throwing a football with a friend, physics is in play, and I am constantly fascinated that I have the tools to predict the outcome of each of these situations.

Q: Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A: This past spring, as a junior, I received a four-year 50 percent scholarship from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, that I was chosen for by each of the science teachers I have had here at Salisbury. It meant a lot to see my hard work in each of these classes pay off and help prepare me for my future outside of high school.

Q: Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?

A: I am part of the rifle team, as well as Model United Nations and National Honor Society. Each of these provide their own distinct challenges. Rifle teaches mental toughness, Model UN improves debate and public speaking and National Honor Society has encouraged me to become more involved in my community.

Q: What is your next goal after high school?

A: After high school I plan to attend a college for mechanical engineering and earn my bachelor’s degree. From there I plan on finding a job and possibly furthering my education once I have a stable income. I enjoy learning as much as possible about pretty much anything, so furthering my education and traveling to new and interesting places are my priorities for the future.

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

A: So far, my biggest challenge has been managing the stress of my educational career with my life. You only get to live life once, and although focusing on school and grades is very important to me, I often remind myself to enjoy this time while I still have it.

Q: What do you want to be remembered for?

A: I would like to be remembered as someone that you could rely on to get something done. I pride myself in being a very responsible person and I want people to remember me as someone that they never had to worry whether or not I would get the work done.

Q: Who is in your family?

A: My closest family includes my mom, Pamela, my dad, Scott, my grandmother Patricia, my dog Ziggy and frog Jimmy.

Q: Do you have someone you look up to?

A: Since I can remember I have always looked up to my dad. I mentioned earlier that I would like to be someone that is reliable and that can get the job done. That comes from him. He always gets the job done, no matter what else is going on. He taught me everything I know about hard work and having a sense of pride in what you do. Without him I do not believe I would be half the student I am today.

Q: Do you have any advice for your peers?

A: Keep up with the good work. We have all made it to our last year of high school and have learned a lot along the way. We have learned a lot in the classroom and a lot about the world around us and how we fit in it. All I can say is that we are only a handful of months away from graduation, so we all just have to keep working the way we have for the past 12 years all the way through to the end. Following through will not only make graduation that much more special, but it will pay off in the long run. It is better to learn perseverance now than later in life when it is already too late.