Q. In what grade are you currently enrolled?

A. I am currently an Emmaus High School senior, Class of 2024.

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

A. My parents are Ann and Steve. I have two brothers, Mike and Nick, two dogs named Rogue and Buddy and a cat named Midnight.

Q. What is your favorite subject? Why?

A. My favorite subject is math/computer science. I took programming in my sophomore year and realized I’m really interested in it. I’m currently taking AP Computer Science A and I plan to study in that field in college.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. I have achieved academic excellence for multiple years and I am a member of the National German Honor Society as well as National Honor Society.

Q. Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? How has being involved in these organizations impacted your high school experience?

A. I have participated in multiple clubs, but the most meaningful activity for me has been joining the EHS Marching Band as well as the Brass Ensemble. I only started playing an instrument halfway through my high school career, but I felt welcomed right away. Learning to play the mellophone (the marching version of a French horn) enriched my high school experiences, gave me a new community, brought me to friends I might have never met otherwise and taught me perseverance in the path to understanding music.

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

A. Like most people, I have encountered many challenges simply by going through the motions of life. The hardest challenges are the ones we face daily. I would say my biggest challenge is the one I continue to face, which is remaining true to myself and upholding the values I keep. Knowing yourself can be difficult, but I am learning how to give myself patience as I continue to learn and grow as a person.

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. My next goal is to study computer science in college, remaining in Pennsylvania and to continue to find places where I belong.

Q. Whom do you hope to emulate? Why?

A. I hope to emulate a piece of everyone I know. We all learn valuable lessons from each other, and I think a small part of everyone I grow close to stays in my personality. Within me is the courage of my mother, the compassion of my friends, the knowledge of all those who have taught me. Anyone who reads this and knows who I am is also a part of who I am, and I am grateful for all that I have learned from the people around me.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I want to be remembered as that goofy guy who always made people laugh and who refused to give up in the face of hardship.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. The best advice I can give is to never be afraid to ask for help, no matter what the situation is. In the aftermath of COVID-19, many people got used to the feeling of isolation, but we aren’t meant to go through life alone. You will always find a family member, friend, teacher or member of your community who will do their best to be there for you.