Q. Who are the members of your family: parents, siblings and pets?

A. I live with my parents, Saman and Saeed, and my younger sister Simren, who will be going into eighth grade this year. We also have a lovely cat named Romeo.

Q. What do you most enjoy about being a senior?

A. Although I haven’t started my senior year of high school, I think I will enjoy the opportunities and freedom that come with being one. This year is the year I am most excited for when it comes to classes because I truly want to take every single one. I am looking forward to all the fun experiences such as the picnic, prom, being in the front of the stands at football games and so much more.

Q. What is your favorite subject? Why?

A. Social studies. I love learning about the history of the world, politics, cultures, economies and relations. We can learn so much about ourselves by looking at history and the best part is that it never ends. It feels amazing to just immerse yourself into millions of different topics such as cultures, religions, the impact of technology on society, peoples interactions with one another, what makes some countries more successful than others, how authority and power have evolved and so much more. The social studies department at Emmaus High School is also incredible, which makes learning about the subject so much better.

Q. What are your favorite extracurricular activities?

A. Most of the hours I spend at school are probably after school with my activities. I am so glad I got involved in so much starting my freshman year; it made school feel more than just academics. In senior year I will be participating in Buzz magazine, Red Cross, National Honor Society, Hornet Ambassadors, debate team and Freshmen Mentors. I am the editor in chief and the director of technology for Buzz magazine and the president of the Red Cross Club. I am also one of the two historians for the Class of 2020.

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. I want to study international relations and economics in college, so my goal is to go to a college that has a variety of opportunities to learn about cultural and economic factors that shape the world and to travel to experience them.

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

A. For my entire school career, I have put so much pressure and thought into numbers. Maybe it’s because of the kind of society we live in and the high expectations placed on high school students, but I always felt as if my grades define who I am as a person. As far away from the truth this is, it’s not hard to fall down the rabbit hole of putting all of your efforts into getting good numbers, whether it be on report cards or standardized tests and forgetting to learn and absorb the information and be grateful for the education. I think my biggest challenge to date has been looking past numbers. I forced myself to think beyond what was shown on my report card and care about what I was learning instead of memorizing it only to spit it back out on the test.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. For as long as I can remember, I have always tried to laugh and smile even in the worst situations and I have tried to make others do the same. So I think that’s what I would like to be remembered for – a kind person who was always smiling and was easy to approach and talk to.

Q. Whom do you admire? Why?

A. This answer may be typical, but I admire my mom. She illuminates happiness and encouragement and has helped me become the person I am today. None of what I have achieved would’ve been possible if she hadn’t pushed me to become my best self. I can only hope to become the incredible woman that she is – intelligent, generous and full of so much love.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. This is the home stretch, don’t let a bad grade on a test, a fight with a friend, or anything else take this time away from you. As important as it is to stay focused and not lose motivations during senior year, don’t forget to enjoy all the fun moments.