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

A. Mom – Deanna Portz, dad – Andrew Portz, brother – Austin Portz and a cat named Trixie.

Q. As a senior, do you have any specific goals you will pursue this academic year?

A. My goal is to maintain a high academic standing and get accepted into my top college choice.

Q. What is your favorite class at Emmaus High School? Why?

A. My favorite course at Emmaus is AP Art History, which I took my sophomore year. I loved the unique material that differed from a typical history course. It was so interesting to learn how art is deeply connected to history and much more significant than we realize.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. From my junior year to this year, I’ve earned seven Honorable Mentions and a Silver Key in the Regional Scholastic Awards for my art pieces. As a student in AP Art Studio, I’m very grateful to have received these recognitions.

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

A. At school, I am involved in Young Democrats Club (vice president), National Art Honor Society (vice president), National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and the Collage Magazine. Outside of school, I participate in Girl Scouts (ambassador), dance, a part-time job and volunteering at a cat shelter. My involvement in extracurriculars, especially at school, has allowed me to feel much more connected to my peers and teachers. It gives me purpose and allows me to feel like I make a difference, and that school is about more than just my classes.

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

A. I love being highly involved and find value in hard work, but I am often challenged by high anxiety and stress regarding achieving my goals and feeling pressure I am not doing as much as I could.

Q. At this time, what are your plans for the future beyond high school?

A. I plan to earn a degree from a 4-year college or university and major in either political science/government or environmental sustainability/studies. I would also love to pursue my love for art and art history as a minor. I plan to study abroad during college and continue traveling after I graduate and I am also considering eventually furthering my education.

Q. If you could spend an evening conversing with a historically significant person, whom would you choose? Why?

A. I would choose to speak with Julia Butterfly Hill. In her early 20s, she lived in a 180 foot tall redwood tree for over two years in protest of clear cutting deforestation, which made her a historical figure and symbol of perseverance in environmental activism. I read her book and I was so inspired especially because I am very passionate about protecting the environment. She is 51 years old today, and continues to partake in activism. I would love to sit with her and discuss her hope and strength despite her hardships during her act of protest and how her experience shaped her into the person she is today.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I would like to be remembered for being my authentic self, a good friend and not being afraid to stand up for what I believe in.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. Don’t wait until your hard work is over to find time to enjoy life. Peace is not your reward in the end; it can be found in the now. Do your very best to succeed in whatever your goals may be, but don’t waste precious moments along the way.