Q. In what grade are you currently enrolled?

A. I am a senior at Emmaus High School.

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

A. My mom - Kristen; dad - Bob; twin sisters - Kaitlyn and Megan; dog - Midnight; cats - Mini, Marvin and Mac.

Q. What is your favorite subject? Why?

A. My favorite subject is probably physics with calculus as a close second. I am in my third year of AP Physics and the out-of-the-box thinking it requires along with the challenges and potential for what is possible inspires me to keep pushing myself to learn and explore. It will definitely play a major role as I transition into college academics as a mechanical engineering major.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. Academically, I have made the Principal’s Honor Roll for every semester of my high school career and I was one of the first students chosen at Emmaus High School for the “Student Intern Program” where I worked as a teaching assistant for an Algebra II course. Athletically, I have won four national titles in track cycling and I currently hold the track cycling national record for the U17 Men’s 3K Team Pursuit.

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

A. I am involved in extracurricular activities, but you might say they are a little off the beaten path. I raced as a competitive cyclist at the international level for the past four years. I was identified at age 14 by USA Cycling for their inaugural Olympic Development Program. As an ODP athlete, I was able to train and compete throughout the world at the highest levels of my sport. My travels took me to various places including California, Colorado, Texas, Canada, the Netherlands and Belgium. COVID-19 definitely threw a wrench into my cycling plans, as the ODP team lost its funding and races were canceled for an extended period of time. Fortunately, I was still able to keep training and racing is completely back to normal now. Although cycling will take a backseat once I enter college, I plan to continue racing for my college club team at the United States Military Academy, West Point.

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

A. Probably my biggest challenge to date was overcoming what felt like insurmountable odds to earn an appointment to the Class of 2026 West Point, USMA. I was on top of the application process with great grades, scores and athleticism; however, during my last bike race in Belgium in July of 2021, I was involved in a pile-up collision and broke my collar bone. This occurred right before my medical exam for West Point and it rendered me “disqualified” medically to attend the academy. It felt like a door was slammed shut at first, but I stayed the course, fought hard to recover, trained like never before to come back and pass the physical fitness test, and eventually, I was granted a medical waiver. During this process, I think I wrote over 15 essays, completed multiple congressional interviews and I eventually won a nomination to West Point from Congresswoman Susan Wild.

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. After high school, I will attend the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. I intend to major in mechanical engineering and, upon graduation, I plan to protect and defend my country as an officer in the United States Army.

Q. Whom do you admire? Why?

A. First, I admire my dad for rising to a high level position in corporate America; but I admire him even more for having the courage to walk away from the corporate world and chase his dream of running his own company. Secondly, I admire my family members (aunts, uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents) who have served in every branch of the military, except for the Army; I will proudly fill that void. And finally, I truly admire my teachers at Emmaus High School who have supported me, sparked my intellectual curiosity and challenged me to push myself academically. My AP Physics teacher, Mr. Ohl, inspires me every day and has done so for several years and my AP Government teacher, Mr. Pum, makes learning fun and challenging. It is teachers like these who give of their energy, time and passion who are truly paving the way for future generations.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. Honestly, I want to be remembered as someone who works hard and never takes life too seriously.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. If I could give any advice to my peers, it would be to not take part in any unwanted activities just to “check a box,” but rather to focus on one or two things you truly care about and enjoy.