What have been some of your most memorable moments over the last four years at WHSAD?
I have a lot of good memories at this school. Between meeting my girlfriend, taking my CAD certification exam, making new friends, and going to dances, I’ve had a good time. This is the place where I found my love of science. This is where I found my favorite person in the world. I remember when I first met my girlfriend. We’d been texting for a few nights, and I mustered up the courage to ask her on a date. Ever since then I’ve been the happiest guy in the whole world. She gets along with my friends, she laughs at my jokes, she lifts me up when times are rough. She’s amazing. She’s what I’m the most thankful for.
What are your plans for life after high school? Why do you feel this is the best option for your at this time?
The truth is I have no idea what my life is going to look like, and frankly, I don’t want to know yet. I believe that the future is a mystery, and that finding that out as you go is part of the wonder of life. We all spend so much time trying to plan out our lives to a tee, but that can lead to so much anxiety and paranoia. We try so hard to get the life we planned that anytime life happens, our worlds get shattered.
What are some words of advice you would give to younger students?
If I had to say anything to younger people, I’d say to stop worrying so much. High school is a time where everybody is constantly on edge about who likes what and what others think about you. The truth is that as long as you’re yourself and treat everyone with respect, you’re destined to meet someone that you can connect with. Life isn’t a popularity contest; it’s an opportunity to live and thrive, so take the chances to have fun when you can.
Where do you want to see yourself five, ten, and thirty years from now?
I want to see myself as a happy person. That’s all I care about. There are parts of all of us that want to see us become millionaires or have a beautiful spouse. But the more you think about it, the less that stuff is important. I don’t care if I’m rich or poor, if I’m single or married. The important thing is that I know what I love, I embrace what I love, and I find people around me that embrace me.
Who has been one person you’d like to thank for support, encouragement, love, etc.?
There are so many people I’d like to shoutout. For starters, I wanna thank my family for not giving up on me. It could’ve been incredibly easy to just assume that since I was a horrible student and a bad kid in middle school, that I was doomed to be nothing, and to treat me as such. However, instead of that, they supported me and encouraged me to love myself. I’d also want to thank my friends for making me laugh and making me want to come to school. Lastly, I want to thank my girlfriend for embracing the things that I like. For letting me be me. For supporting me and lifting me up to my highest self.