Q. In what grade are you currently enrolled?

A. I graduated from Emmaus High School in June.

Q. Please provide the first names of your family members.

A. My parents’ names are Preston and Erika Jackson.

Q. What was your favorite subject and why?

A. My favorite subject has always been history. The quote, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it,” has stuck with me throughout my life and shaped me and my interests. Learning about the past has fascinated me and I’ve been fortunate to have great teachers who have encouraged me to dive deeper into the subject and helped me grow this passion.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. I have received Principal’s Honor Roll throughout high school.

Q. Were you involved in any extracurricular activities? How did being involved in these organizations impact your high school experiences?

A. I played on the varsity girls tennis team and was a build/run crew member for the EHS spring musicals. I also co-hosted and organized a Pop-Up Thrift Shop event earlier this year at Emmaus. Outside of school, I volunteer at Camelot for Children and am vice president of the junior board. Being involved in these organizations has helped me grow as a person, by pushing me to meet new people and improve skills such as leadership, communication and creativity. It made my high school years a lot more fun and gave me something to look forward to outside school.

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

A. My father is in the Army, so every 3-4 years we move to a different state. My biggest challenge has always been leaving my friends and starting over in a new location.

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. I plan to attend a 4-year college and major in international relations. I hope to become an international broadcast journalist and help connect the world.

Q. Whom do you hope to emulate? Why?

A. I hope to emulate my two exchange students, who I hosted two summers ago. They were both 16 when they came from France to the U.S. and stayed with us for three weeks and I admire their courage and confidence. To visit another country and leave my family and friends for so long, especially at such a young age, is something I dreamed about, but never would have actually done. After meeting them, they inspired me to travel more, with and without my parents.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I would like to be remembered for the Pop-Up Thrift Shop event I co-hosted and organized with my best friend earlier this year. I was very proud of the event and how everything turned out, and of my peers. We collected over 200 clothing items and raised almost $600.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. Get involved. Whether it’s a club or sport offered at your school or a volunteer opportunity in your community, sign up. If there’s a club or organization that doesn’t exist at your school, but you think it sounds interesting, create it. It makes school so much more fun and helps you learn about your interests and make new friends.