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

A. Katrina Rainford (mom), Steve Rainford (dad), Elin Rainford (sister) and Luke (dog).

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

A. Yes, as a senior, I hope to continue to maintain a high GPA and stay involved with all of my sports and other extracurricular activities. It is also a goal of mine to enjoy my last year of high school before heading to college.

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

A. My favorite class at Emmaus High School is AP Biology. I took this class junior year. The teacher, Mrs. Svencer, was one of the best teachers I have ever had and did such an amazing job both instructing and simply being a person I could always talk to. The structure of the class, with all of the labs, created a very unique culture I have not experienced in other classes. By the end of the year, almost the whole class of juniors and seniors were all friends with each other, and we did many fun activities. Also, it always helps when you have some of your best friends in a class.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. Freshman year - school award for Overall School Spirit, sophomore year - Tri-M Honor Society (music honor society), junior year - Debate Team EPC Champion, school award for Excellence in Investing and Corporate Finance, AP Scholar with Honor, National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society (Spanish), Senior year – mock trial team placing second in districts, the school’s recipient of the DAR Good Citizens Award.

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

A. Yes, I am involved in many extracurricular activities. Being involved in these has been such an integral part of my high school experience. Through these activities, I have found the most amazing friends. Many of us share the same interests and motivation to always do our best. These relationships have made my high school experience very positive and fulfilling. Activities include: Class of 2026 officer historian, National Honor Society vice president, varsity golf team captain, debate team vice-captain, Model UN copresident, Interact Club co-vice-president, Ski Club treasurer, Habitat for Humanity secretary, unified track member, student athlete leadership team, mock trial, student forum, Morgan’s Message, Pickleball Club, Tri-M Honor Society and World Language Honor Society.

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

A. I would consider my biggest challenge to be my AP BC Calculus class. Math had always come naturally to me, so I rarely needed to study much to earn strong grades. This year was different. I had to change my habits by studying consistently, completing all the additional homework and asking for help when I needed it. It was difficult to admit my old approach no longer worked, but once I adjusted, the class became less intimidating and more of a meaningful learning experience.

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

A. I will be attending a highly-competitive 4-year university for finance. However, I am not sure where, as I currently have great options, but I am still waiting to hear a decision from a number of schools.

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

A. If I could spend an evening conversing with a historically significant person, I would choose Taylor Swift. While not dead, Swift is extremely historically significant. First appearing on the music scene in the mid-2000s, she has been a pioneer of many things. The most notable thing about her is that she is responsible for the largest tour ever. While yes, I very much admire Swift for her music and artistry, what I find more fascinating is how she has built an empire around it. She turned her brand into a business powerhouse by owning her narrative, rerecording her masters and strategically releasing albums to maximize impact and profit. Her tours, merchandise and even film releases show her careful planning and control over distribution. To me, Taylor Swift is not just an artist; she is a world-class CEO.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. I would like to be remembered not for how much I’m involved in, what I do or what I accomplish, but by the type of person I am. My character matters to me more than another title or award. I hope people remember me as someone who was kind, dependable and genuinely interested in what others had to say. I believe that success fades and resumes get forgotten, but the way you make people feel and the integrity you carry with you last far longer.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. Yes, my advice is to always ask the question. Worst-case scenario, you get a “no” and move on with your life. But if you never ask, you will never know the answer to a question that could have changed everything. Whether it is applying for an opportunity, reaching out to someone you admire or taking a risk on something new, I’ve learned rejection is only temporary, but regret is forever.