Do you have any nicknames? Eli

Family: My dad, my mom, and one younger brother.

Pets: Two cats.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I’ve lived in Newtown for just over 13 years.

Career? I’m currently a freshman at Trinity College in Hartford, Class of 2028. I’m also the organ scholar at Trinity Episcopal Church here in town, and also assistant chapel organist at Trinity College.

Are you a member of any organizations, clubs and/or communities of faith? I’m part of the Lutheran Church here in town, where my dad is the pastor. I’m part of the bible study at my school, and planning to sign up for leadership either this semester or next. It’s really quite vibrant and active, with 30 people in a school of 2,000. It’s a wonderful group, and kind of an invaluable support for me. I’m also part of Chapel Singers at the college, which is our choir, and Running Club, Rock Climbing Club and The Ballroom Dancing Team. The ballroom dance team is very competitive and it’s a lot of fun.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to design cars, probably like every other little boy.

What do you like to do with your free time? When I’m not doing something with music, I’m hanging with friends, doing something with one of my clubs, or reading. I really enjoy reading. I also enjoy mountain biking. I do that almost every day in the summer. I also enjoy modifying cars.

What is the most recent book you’ve read? I’m in a lot of books right now, some of them for class, some of them for fun. I’m extremely close to the end of St Augustine’s Confessions, and Tale of Two Cities was my winter break read.

Do you have a favorite author? Fyodor Dostoevsky

Do you have any unusual or surprising talents? I can unicycle. Most people also find playing organ a surprising talent.

Who or what has been the greatest influence on your life? My parents. I really, really look up to them a ton. They’ve been a massive influence. I’ve also definitely had a few friends over the years who have taught me a lot. I have two friends in particular right now at Trinity who I admire and have learned a lot from.

Favorite food? Probably steak. I love steak, and I hardly ever tire of it. If not that, corned beef. Any sort of beef is really, really good.

Favorite music genre? That’s hard. Sacred music, traditional church music is a favorite, certainly. I’m devoting a large portion of my life to that and I really enjoy listening to it on my own. In my free time I try to go and see as much as I can. I just went to Yale recently, to hear 2½ hours of it. If I’m just listening to something on Spotify though, I’ll probably turn to 90s alt rock. It’s almost as far as you can go from sacred music, but I really do love that too.

Do you have any pet peeves? It really bothers me when people speak with imprecise grammar.

Who or what is something you cannot live without? God.

What is your favorite thing about Newtown? I love all the history of the town, all the historical buildings. I also love how many outdoor spaces we have — the Newtown Forest Association properties, and these spaces all over town where you can just go for a walk and just be out in nature, and there’s hardly ever other people there.

Do you have a personal credo? Soli Deo Gloria, which means “All to the Glory of God.” I had it tattooed on my forearm just before I left for school, to remind myself why I’m doing everything.