My pal, dear friend, confidante, Jonathan Swain is a person I look up to. In a community of teenagers searching to define themselves, Jonathan defies social expectations by taking roads less travelled.

From the first day I met him, Jonathan has always been honest. True to himself, he is willing to share his honest opinion even if it is an unpopular one. Julian Quall ‘19 recalls, “A few months ago we were all talking about Eminem. The lot of us were raving about his bars, how he blows all these other rappers out of the water. Jonathan appreciated that, but told us how he can vibe with his music the same way he can with even some of these mumble rap artists, because of the beat.” He loves discussion, diving deep into topics of meaning. On train rides home, we will explore the philosophy of life, search for meaning in forms of art, and argue the boundaries of our social values. Our conversations hold value and avoid superficial, surface-level content, a rare characteristic of chats with high schoolers. Seth Vargas ‘19 said, “It’s always a pleasure to chat with Jonathan; it’s just so much fun. I find myself thinking a lot while we talk which is nice because I don’t always have that opportunity with others.”

Jonathan is also a very driven person. He has made a name for himself in the design world already, with beautiful works like his hand-crafted table, his satchels, computer bags, and even his clothes. Sam Rivera ‘19 said, “His table is just ridiculous. It looks like it’s straight from Sur La Table or some furniture store like that. It’s just such a beautiful piece of work.” This sentiment is shared by many, all gasping at the sight of his hard work. Jonathan continues to astound and uplift those around him and I’m proud to call him my friend.