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. My family members include my parents Harry and Nicole, my twin brother Sam and my older brother Alex. I also have a dog named Penny.

Q. What is your favorite subject? Why?

A. My favorite subject is psychology because it allows me to explore the connection between the human mind and how individual experience is shaped based upon how we think, react and respond in different situations. Psychology pushes me to look at life differently through a lens of empathy and compassion, shaping who I am now and who I will become in the future.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. I have received the Principal’s Academic Excellence Award and academic achievement awards in Honors Biology, Honors Algebra 2 and Honors Microbiology and Genetics. I am a member of National Honor Society and I was selected for the Hugh O’Brian Leadership Award.

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

A. I serve as the president of the Peers Assisting Learning Support Club and secretary of the Student Government Association. As secretary of SGA, I enjoy representing the student body at school board and Principal’s Advisory meetings. I am also a Hornet Ambassador and a member of the Interact Club. I dance at the Performing Arts Center of the Lehigh Valley and I enjoy running in my spare time. I volunteer as a junior board member at Camelot for Children, which compliments my work at school with PALS. COVID-19 has impacted my extracurricular activities; however, many of my clubs have been able to meet virtually. For example, we have had success with monthly virtual activities for students and community members within both the PALS and Camelot for Children programs.

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

A. My biggest challenge has been learning to take care of myself and to carve time out of my busy day just for me. One positive thing that came out of the pandemic was that it forced me to slow down. I realized that continually doing school work at the expense of sleep, family time or just taking time for me was not healthy. Doing well in school is important, but this break helped me realize that work will always be there and that it is ok to take care of myself first. I was able to step back and re-evaluate what was truly important to me, which meant having to give up some activities to make enough time to focus on what I really enjoy and also try new things.

Q. What is your next goal after high school?

A. I will be attending Lafayette College after graduation, where I am excited to major in psychology. While I am open to where life takes me, I am currently leaning toward becoming a clinical psychologist.

Q. Whom do you admire? Why?

A. I admire Brené Brown Ph.D., LMSW, who is a research professor at the University of Houston. She has written multiple books based upon her research on the power of shame and vulnerability and currently has two podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare To Lead. I respect Brown because of her courageous choice to live her life wholeheartedly with vulnerability and gratitude, as well as her willingness to share her knowledge with others. Through education and self-reflection, I hope to develop these skills and impact others just as Brown has impacted me.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I would like to be remembered as a person who always leads with her heart and who is authentic, genuine and kind. I hope I am also recognized as someone who enjoys helping and listening to others.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. The advice I would give to my peers would to always be kinder than you need to be because you never know what is going on in another person’s life. Little things mean a lot and small actions such as holding the door open for others, smiling at someone in the hall or asking a person how they are doing can positively impact someone’s day.