Q. In what grade are you currently enrolled?

A. I am currently enrolled in 12th grade of Emmaus High School. Although I have also attended Lehigh Carbon Community College and Northampton Community College with “dual enrollment.” I think I was classified as a first year student at those places. Additionally, I have taken 12 years of art classes at the Baum School of Art in Allentown. That school did not have grades, but instead I gradually worked my way up to classes categorized as “adult.” I have committed to University of Pittsburgh starting in fall 2021, for the “digital narrative and interactive design” major. While I have many Advanced Placement and community college credits, I presume I will nevertheless be categorized as a first year student there.

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

A. My mother is named Elizabeth. My father is named Daniel. I have two brothers, Ryan and Lance. I have a half brother named Tadhg and a half sister named Katie. My family has a dog named Rory and I have two kittens: Tiger and Space.

Q. What is your favorite subject? Why?

A. Really, this is a tough question. I love a whole bunch of subjects. Although, if I had to choose purely based on subject and not on the teacher, I would choose art. I love the process of creating art and the connection that comes from sharing it. I really do feel like a picture is a thousand words. I hope to get a job in the art industry someday.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. A few. I’m a National Honor Society member and I’ve gotten the principal’s honor roll more times than I can remember. I also got an award for excellence in Latin and numerous Scholastic Art awards. The most valuable to me, however, was the “Heart of the Lion” award I received in eighth grade. Up until ninth grade, I went to Moravian Academy. At the end of my last year, I received this award. It was given to me under my previous name, so I’ll adapt it here to be my legal name: “Given to [Seán] in recognition of [his] extraordinary personal growth during [his] three years in middle school, [his] indomitable spirit and optimism and [his] acceptance of who [he] is and [his] genuine and unqualified acceptance of others.” It was a moving way to end that phase of my life and I felt appreciated.

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

A. I currently do karate outside of school, as well as AP review sessions for my classes and Latin club. Before COVID, we did more grappling and sparring in karate. Now, we stay six feet apart which lessens the amount of group techniques we can do. Also before COVID, AP classes were an entire year long and there would be no need for after school review sessions. Latin club met in person instead of over Zoom before COVID and I used to do art club before COVID, but now there’s no dances for art club to decorate. They still meet over Zoom like Latin club, but I haven’t participated.

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

A. “Challenge” is sort of hard to define. Some would say life is a challenge and that would be the biggest one to date. But I won’t go with such an easy answer. I’d say my biggest challenge to date is autism. I was diagnosed with Aspurger’s Syndrome from the DSM-4 in 2006, when I was four. But even before that, I struggled. I struggle with social skills and processing speed. Accommodations and other people’s patience have been my two best helps. Before that, my mental disorder felt insurmountable. But look at where I am today!

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. After high school, I am working at Chick-fil-A for the summer and then attending the University of Pittsburgh. I plan to get a degree in digital narrative and interactive design.

Q. Whom do you admire? Why?

A. I admire many aspects of different people, but I have to say I really admire my friend Deo Ackerman’s fortitude. When they care about something, they are extremely passionate and push past their fears to accomplish what they think is right. This mostly comes to supporting friends. They care deeply about their friend’s happiness and will back them completely. When I was originally questioning my gender, Deo asked and started using “he” pronouns in private, switching back when we were in company. This helped me realize how natural the pronoun actually felt. Deo gave me the courage to come out to my other friends and then eventually everybody. Deo is the best friend I could possibly ask for, going into high school. I don’t know where I’d be without them.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I would like to be remembered for bringing joy to other’s lives. It feels so good to see people happy and I would love to have that impact on the world.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. I would advise my peers to get therapy. No matter who you are, I believe a trained professional’s opinion, one who has no attachments in your life, can give really good advice. They can ask insightful questions that can help you better your situation, no matter if it’s rough or going smoothly. I know under insurance my therapist is $15 a copay, and I go once a month. Although I went once every two weeks at the beginning of high school. There’s no harm in checking what the pricing would be for you, so I suggest finding some answers!