Grade: 12

Family members: Family members include my dad, Miguel Mendoza Castillero, my mom, Elba Mendoza, and my 13-year-old brother, Juan Pablo Mendoza. Pets are part of our family and so we have Taco, our Russian tortoise, and Bluecheese, our parakeet.

Favorite subject: To be honest, I appreciate all subjects (English, math, science, history languages, theology; you name it!) because for me, there is always something to take away from your studies, no matter what the subject.

Activities: I am involved with Peer Listeners, the National Honor Society, cross country and am a Middle States stakeholder at my school.

Next steps: I want to further my education by either attending a four-year university or going to community college for the first two years and then transfer to a four-year institution.

Career goals: Civil engineering is on my mind for the future, but I do not want to limit my opportunities and so I am open to whatever else may come my way.

Heroes: My parents, especially my mom, are the greatest heroes I could have ever wished for. They are the hardest working people I have ever met and would sacrifice anything for the sake of my brother and me.

Hobbies: I enjoy hiking, traveling, running, spending quality time with family and friends, and taking time to enjoy the things we tend to overlook, like the moon in the night sky.

Current job(s): I work at the Apollo Grill in downtown Bethlehem as a busboy.

Volunteer/community work: When available, I perform volunteer work at my parish, Holy Infancy, and their rectory on the south side of Bethlehem.

Likes: Things I like include nature, trains, going out to eat, laughing, the four seasons, thinking, reading classic books, learning languages, listening to music and sleeping,

Dislikes: Things I dislike include seasonal allergies, asthma, olives, slow computers, blood work and the notion of how time flies.

Greatest accomplishment (so far): Obtaining my driver’s license has helped me a lot in that I am not limited as much as I used to be. I am not as dependent on others for rides.

Advice for peers: At the end of the day, where do you want to be? Now go and get there.

Julia Swan coordinates student profiles for the Bethlehem Press. Student profile subjects are selected by faculty and administration at the individual schools.