Q. In what grade are you currently enrolled?

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

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

A. Julia and Domenick are my parents and Emma is my sister. We have two dogs: George, a Pug mix and Winnie, a St. Bernard.

Q. What is your favorite subject? Why?

A. Environmental science is my favorite subject. Mrs. Kneller, my AP teacher, has made me enjoy learning about environmental science. I am so grateful to have learned useful ways to care for our environment as well as the values of changing the ways we do things now.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. I have received Principals Honor Roll all throughout high school and am in National Honor Society.

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

A. I was involved in Emmaus girls soccer and am involved in Pediatric Cancer Club, Key Club, Red Cross Club and NHS. COVID-19 definitely changed a lot with all of the activities I participate in. Team bonding activities were a challenge; it was harder to find volunteering opportunities and Zoom meetings never felt the same as being together in person. Now most of the activities are back to normal which is so good!

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

A. My biggest challenge to date would be struggling with stress and anxiety. During the beginning of my senior year, I had a really rough time and a lot was going on. However, I have learned different skills to keep my anxious thoughts to a minimum and have learned not to let the anxiety and stress affect my school and everyday life. I continue to grow and learn and am currently excited about the future ahead of me.

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. My goal after high school is to get my bachelor’s degree in nursing. I will be attending West Virginia University in the fall. After I get my bachelor’s, I want to achieve my master’s and become a midwife.

Q. Whom do you admire? Why?

A. James King, my uncle, is someone I look up to. He is a priest in the Catholic Church who has taught me many things. He travels the world meeting new people from various cultures and has a compassionate nature that makes most people adore him. He has a completely unique energy he brings into any room he walks into and I aspire to be like that. He has been through a lot in his life, but he continues to see things through a positive lens.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I would like to be remembered for my kindness and positive attitude. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned just the simple act of a smile goes a long way. I work in a small diner and have gotten many words of kindness from my co-workers and random strangers who admire my kind attitude and friendly face. I hope to continue to be a person that can have a conversation with anyone and who can make someone’s day.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. In my college essay, I used a metaphor about a puddle and concluded by saying puddles dry up and disappear, just like sadness and bad days. There’s always going to be good days, bad days and maybe sad days. I’ve learned to pick myself up while also relying on others. Find the people who lift you up and recognize they are there to help you. Find things you enjoy doing and make time to do them. Take advantage of every good opportunity and learn from every bad one.