What is your favorite subject, or are you following a certain career path? “I really like math and science. I have decided to pursue a career in mechanical engineering to then specialize in aerospace engineering.”

Are you involved in sports or any other extracurricular activities? “I have played soccer continuously since I was four. I played the last four years at South Walton High School along with a few seasons at RAD, the competitive soccer club in Destin, until I moved to my current club, GulfSouth Soccer Club, here in Santa Rosa Beach. Before I started dual enrollment my junior year, I participated in Drill Team and Fellowship of Christian Athletes at South Walton High School.”

What will you miss about your school or classmates when you graduate? “I love being around my friends, so being able to hang out with them and be productive was something I really enjoyed and will miss.”

Tell us about your plans after graduation and what inspired you to choose this path? “After high school, I will be attending the University of Illinois at Chicago for a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering and to play collegiate Division 1 soccer. It has always been my dream to play at the highest level in soccer because I love it so much. For mechanical engineering, I have always really enjoyed building and making intricate things, so engineering was a no-brainer, but after research I chose mechanical because I learned that is a very broad type of engineering. I wanted to use an understanding in mechanical engineering to then specialize in aerospace engineering which I find very fascinating.”

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years? “I really want to play soccer for as long as I can because I can’t imagine life without playing. For mechanical engineering, I hope that by that time I am a part of a mechanical or aerospace engineering internship. If I’m past that internship, I can see myself working for a big agency like NASA or having my own engineering company. Wow, that all seems like a lot to do in 5-10 years. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll build a spaceship.”

Please tell us a little bit about your family. “Crazy bunch – 22-year-old brother, me, and 6-year-old surprise baby brother. My mom is a badass. She’s my rock. Same with my dad. Even though my parents drive me crazy, they mean the world to me and have definitely shaped who I am today.”

What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community? “I really like North Beach Tortilla Company, Farm and Fire, The Bay, Great Southern Cafe – basically all of Jim Shirley’s restaurants. Pizza by the Sea is amazing. Black Bear, Donut Hole and Crackings are GREAT breakfast places.”

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why? “Oh that’s a hard question. Santorini, The Bahamas, Australia, Paris, Italy, Key West, Iceland, Antarctica, Maldives, South Africa, Scotland, New Zealand and there are more. All of these places are beautiful. Yes, I want to travel to all of these places right now.”

What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows? “The Cheaper by the Dozen movies and Endless Love (newer version) will always have a special place in my heart. I really like The Arrival and Interstellar also. Grey’s Anatomy is my go to right now but I really, really want to watch Cosmos on National Geographic.”

What’s the best advice you ever received from a teacher? Who was the teacher? “I’m sure my teachers have said some really important things but I can’t say that any of those things really stuck out to me.”

Who inspires you to be better? “A lot of things inspire me. My friends. My mom inspires me to be a better Christian and person. Many successful professional athletes inspire me to be the best I can be. I remember when I was younger Hope Solo was my idol. I had her book and wanted to be exactly where she was, the best in the world, playing in the Olympics and for the US women’s national team. She still inspires me.”

If you could choose anyone (past or present) to have lunch with, who would you choose, why and where would you go? “Elon Musk or Neil Armstrong.”

What is your favorite thing about living in Walton County? “The beach, duh.”

Favorite month? holiday? and best single day on the calendar? “December, Christmas, first day of summer.”

How has being quarantined changed your life? “I really miss being able to hang out with my friends but at the same time this quarantine has really allowed me to become more in tune with myself and focus on what I have to get done, which is to prepare for college and D1 soccer”

Who or what do you miss the most right now? “My friends and the beach.”

What’s the first thing you want to do when this quarantine is over? “Eat Pizza by the Sea with a friend on the beach.”