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

A. My parents are Mary-Kate Walter and Brad Walter; siblings are Ben Walter and Patrick Walter; two cats named Han and Leia, as well as a fish tank!

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

A. As my senior year comes to a close, my only goal is to finish the year strong and overcome senioritis. I honestly feel as if I had a great four years at Emmaus High School and am ready to move forward to the next chapter of my life.

Q. What is your favorite class at EHS? Why?

A. For the past four years I’ve really enjoyed my journalism class with Mrs. Ramirez. The class has really brought me out of my shell and I had so much fun expressing my creativity through writing. However, I also really loved my AP Government class with Mr. Pum. The class had a really fun and low-key environment and you really learn the importance of our government.

Q. Have you received any special awards or recognition?

A. I recently won third place in feature writing at the Pennsylvania Student Press Association state competition.

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

A. I am involved with The Stinger, Mud Club and Envirothon. Overall, I’ve mostly learned how to work and communicate with others through these clubs. Each club requires a level of cooperation from its members and a time commitment. I will certainly carry the skills I have learned into my adult life.

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

A. Honestly just working my way through high school. It took a long time for me to develop a strong work ethic and become more outgoing. I think middle school me would be really proud of who I am today and who I will become in the future.

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

A. I plan on attending DeSales University to study history and minor in Catholic studies. With my history degree, I hope to become a high school teacher and later work at a university.

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

A. I would choose the current Pope Leo XIV. As a Catholic, so having a leader who closely follows my beliefs and who is such a great influence on today’s generation means so much to someone finding their faith. Obviously, not everyone is Catholic or Christian, but I think the messages he spreads can really speak to anyone looking for a role model. I would love to sit down with him and ask for life advice to guide me as I move forward with my life.

Q. For what would you like to be remembered?

A. As someone anyone could lean on if needed. Regardless of someone’s beliefs or opinions, or the situation, I helped bring peace to their minds or offered a shoulder to cry on. I want to be remembered as someone who was empathetic and compassionate.

Q. Do you have any advice for your peers?

A. Be patient and allow yourself to focus on the now instead of the future. Everything will work out in the end because life moves forward whether you want it to or not.