Q. In what grade are you currently enrolled?

A. I am in 12th grade at Emmaus High School.

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

A. My mom (Michelle), my dad (Brian), my sister (Alexa) and my dog (Koorsha).

Q. What is your favorite subject? Why?

A. My favorite subject is math because I find it almost therapeutic to finish a long equation.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. Yes. I have been on the Principal’s Honor Roll now for a few years.

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

A. Yes. I am a current member of National Honor Society, as well as a Hornet Ambassador. This is also my second year serving as the president of our awesome Young Republicans Club, all of whom I love very much (if you guys are reading this!).

Regarding the impact of COVID-19, the biggest struggle was the lack of being in-person. Zooms were often very awkward social spaces, and having an NHS or YRC meeting via a screen reduced a lot of what would have been normal social interaction. Some of these activities have gone back to being in-person, which I am very thankful for, while others such as NHS have remained on Zoom because of the quantity of people.

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

A. My biggest challenge is responding to the ever-growing need for patience.

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. I plan on attending college to expand my knowledge and use the skills I learn to contribute to and help the world wherever I may be planted.

Q. Whom do you admire? Why?

A. I admire my great-grandma Babci because of her unshakable confidence. She was a fabulous cook, a great storyteller and had all the wit and humor you could fit in a continent – and she’d let you know it. Even though you, obviously, already knew it. So, whenever I feel down about myself or whatever situation I’m in, I hear the spirit of my great-grandma rising up, finger snap and all, to tell me that I am perfect just as I am, and that the world has to look out. And how could I doubt my Babci?

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I would like to be remembered for making whatever environment I’m in just a little more friendly and a little more fun. I can’t create all of that on my own since I have so many awesome classmates, but I hope to contribute.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. This advice is especially for the students who don’t feel good enough – you don’t have to be the best to be good at something. Just because you can’t outrun Usain Bolt doesn’t mean that you can’t outrun others (like me!). Just because you’re not class Valedictorian doesn’t mean that you don’t have a lot of valuable knowledge or smarts. Just because you didn’t win recognition for your skill – mechanics, art, martial arts, others – doesn’t mean that you aren’t skilled. Life is more than being No. 1 – it’s getting to be part of seven billion and acknowledging the world can always use your help, no matter where you think you fall.