Grade: 12

Family members: Jordan Sonnenblick, father, Melissa Sonnenblick, mother, Emma Sonnenblick, sister, a freshman at Freedom

Favorite subject: Although I relish learning in general, my favorite subject has always been English. I am enthralled by the power of words to inspire awe or fear, to breed love or hate, to sculpt what is.

Activities: I play trumpet and am vice president of Freedom’s band. I captain the boys tennis team and I serve on Freedom’s Family Relations Committee for the BASD Mini-THON.

Next steps: After high school I hope to attend the University of Pennsylvania to pursue a degree in …. something.

Career goals: I want to be a writer in some capacity, but if that ambition falls through, then I would love to be a radio/TV personality or an international diplomat (my ideas are all over the place).

Heroes: My idol used to be Derek Jeter, since I aspired to be a professional baseball player and appreciated his sportsmanship and composure. Now I more admire “normal” people like my dad and my tennis coach/calculus teacher, both of whom work hard to support their families by being good honest men. Plus I have a better chance at emulating them than I do at filling Derek Jeter’s (endorsed) shoes.

Hobbies: When I am not playing trumpet or tennis, I am most likely reading fantasy novels, writing poetry or cheering on the New York Yankees.

Current job(s): I am a freelance reporter/columnist for the Bethlehem Press.

Volunteer/community work: Other than helping with Mini-THON, I have been the FHS girls tennis team manager for two seasons, and I have been a counselor at various Northampton Community College summer camps.

Likes: I like being with family, laughing with friends, playing sports, reading quietly, making music and having thoughtful conversations with people in order to learn more about them and more about the world in general.

Dislikes: I have irrational dislikes of popcorn and cereal, and I think I have a more rational dislike of rap music (in most circumstances), but apart from those, most of my dislikes are related to people. I really dislike when students act disrespectfully toward their teachers or peers. I absolutely cannot stomach bullying, and I despise when people do not accept each other’s differences.

Greatest accomplishment (so far): I have no crowning achievement thus far, but I am cumulatively very proud of the fact that I have put myself in the position to be successful going forward. I have worked really hard in school in music and in sports, and now I have the opportunity to continue my education at a good college and see where that takes me!

Advice for peers: Be able to look back at your high school years and be proud of and content with the decisions you made; try hard in school, but ultimately, strive always to be a good person. If you can say with confidence that you have done those things, you will have done well.

Julia Swan coordinates student profiles for the Bethlehem Press.

Student profile subjects are selected by faculty and administration at the individual schools.