Gallery • 4 Photos

Courtesy of Emma Arthurs.

SNAPSHOTS

Q: Who is your favorite artist and why?

A: “Five Seconds of Summer because I have followed them since I was literally 12 years old. I just love them and they’re just awesome. I love their music.”

Q: What is your dream home? Describe.

A: “Really homey, like something on HGTV. I don’t know, kind of like a barn but also modern [and] fun.”

Q: If you could go back in time, what historical event would you like to visit and why?

A: “What’s something cool? I can’t even think, all I’m thinking about is wars. Oh, I know, Woodstock in the ‘60s because that’s really cool and [has good] vibes.”

Q: If you could be immortal, would you? Why or why not?

A: “Probably not. I don’t think I’d want to live forever. I think the life I have now is good, and when it’s over, that’ll be good too.”

Q: If given an all expenses paid vacation, where would you go and why?

A: “Hawaii! Definitely Hawaii. I’ve always wanted to go. It’s literally my dream vacation. I know I’ll love it when I go.”

ZOOMING IN

Q: What college will you attend? What is your intended major?

A: “I’ll be going to the University of Texas at Austin. I want to hopefully major in engineering. My dream that I’ve had for a long time is hopefully to work for NASA one day. I would love to do that.”

Q: What extracurriculars have you been in throughout high school?

A: “I did the swim team. I was in StuCo, National Honor Society and Circle of Friends. I was in president’s club and was in the math club, Mu Alpha Theta. I think that’s all that I was in.”

Q: What was the most challenging aspect about balancing extracurriculars and academics?

A: “The most challenging part was probably just trying to make sure there was a good balance of spending my time in extracurriculars but still being able to come home and do my work, being dedicated to knowing that I might be tired, but I still have to balance both of them and do well in both of them.”

Q: What class was the hardest for you? Why?

A: “Definitely AP US history just because it wasn’t necessarily the hardest class material wise, but it was definitely the hardest class workload wise. It was just a lot of work. No matter what I was doing, I knew that I had at least two hours of homework in class. It was definitely difficult to be committed to that class.”

Q: Who has helped you the most throughout this journey? How have they? 

A: “I would say all of my swim coaches I’ve ever had, my parents and my teachers. Two teachers in particular, Mr. Borenstein and Mrs. Fieszel just because they were really big influences in teaching me to enjoy what I’m doing but also work hard at what I’m doing.”

Q: What has been the most memorable part of high school?

A: “I would say being involved in things: the swim team, competing, going to all the football games, just being involved in the school and having school spirit.”

Q: What do you miss most about traditional high school over at-home learning?

A: “Definitely being involved. You know, sometimes people take for granted being in a classroom and being around people that share a common interest, even if it’s something just going to the same school. It’s something that’s a great thing to be a part of and I definitely miss that.”

Q: What advice would you give to your freshman self? 

A: “I would definitely tell myself to always be focused, but have fun, because it’s not always about making the best grades. You’re only there for four years and you’re not always going to look back at what got a test grade, but what you were involved in and things you went to like a football game or something as simple as that. Focus on being in the moment but still working hard.”

Q: What are you most excited about regarding college?

A: “Being around a bunch of new people and meeting new people. UT is a really big school so there’s a lot of new people to meet. I’m really excited for that.”

Q: Where do you hope to see yourself in 10 years?

A: “I definitely want to have a family and just be enjoying life. I hope I get to travel or something, what else happens happens.”