Q. In what grade are you currently enrolled?

A. I’m currently in 12th grade at Emmaus High School.

Q. Please provide the first names of your family members: parents, siblings and pets.

A. My father’s name is Colby, my mother’s is Mary and my younger brother’s is Nathan. I don’t have any pets due to allergies.

Q. What is your favorite subject? Why?

A. Computer science is without a doubt my favorite subject. I really felt like I found my calling when I took my first programming course at EHS. The type of problem-solving it utilizes is right up my alley.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. I’ve earned honor roll for the past three years for achieving A averages in all my classes.

Q. Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? How has COVID-19 impacted these activities?

A. I’m somewhat involved with the American Computer Science League. I was very active last year, but COVID-19 hit right before our main competition season was supposed to start. Admittedly, it’s been hard to find motivation to participate after such a major disappointment, but I haven’t abandoned it entirely.

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

A. Back in the fall of 2019, I suffered a freak chain of spontaneous pneumothorax, which is when a hole opens in the lung causing it to lose pressure and start collapsing. This required direct surgery to my lung and a week’s stay in the hospital for recovery. In general, pneumos are uncommon but not super rare. What is unheard of is having five of them in the course of three months. Nothing will ever be more frustrating than each time I left the hospital, thinking I was finally done with it all, only to end up back there a week later. Thankfully, it did end eventually and I haven’t had any more issues with my lungs since November 2019. I’d like to give a special thanks to the Lehigh Valley Health Network pediatric staff for taking care of me throughout that mess.

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. I currently plan to attend college to get a computer science degree. As I mentioned before, computer science is my favorite subject, so becoming a programmer is a promising career for me.

Q. Whom do you admire? Why?

A. I admire my grandparents more than anyone. They are incredibly kind and selfless. My grandfather always tries to brighten people’s days with jokes and puzzles and my grandmother is always there to provide love and emotional support. I am very appreciative and thankful for all the kindness they have given over my life.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I want to be remembered for my honesty. Throughout middle school and early high school, I had a bad habit of lying for my convenience or to abide by societal standards. I’m done with that now. I prefer to be blunt and open, no matter how clumsy or awkward it is to do so.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. Do not actively dwell on regrets, no matter how small or large they are. All we can do is learn what we can from our experiences and continue on.