With a big voice, a big smile and an equally big heart, Zachary Lindbeck (11) wants to make a big difference in the world.

He transferred to Skyline from Louisiana last year and is a current junior here at Skyline who is hoping to go to college at James Madison. James Madison, in Virginia, is known for its communications courses, and that is exactly what Lindbeck is looking for to help him prepare for a job in social work or anything that has to do with foreign languages. 

Lindbeck has a special place in his heart for social workers. “I was put into foster care when I was very young because of abusive parents, and I just don’t want future kids and kids in the system to feel like they are neglected or not loved or cared for. I want them to feel like they are, and I want to get them to homes that are safe and loving. I just want them to feel understood and heard in the world,” he said.

He does no extra curricular activities currently, but he is taking College Spanish since the majority of social workers are immigrants because of their ability to speak two languages. It’s great that he is taking it in preparation for his future. 

As a kid with a diverse background, inclusion is of paramount importance to Lindbeck. “I’m trying to not just include English-speaking kids, but also kids that speak Spanish and eventually French. That’s what I’m going for next school year. I’m majoring in French and Spanish so I can help those kids and their cultures too,” he said.

Lyndbeck is not waiting for the future to make a difference. Rather, he is doing everything he can do today to make life better for peers at Skyline. “I am in with Sources of Strength, which is a group that helps kids thinking suicidal thoughts who are feeling alone. We just help them kind of like peer leaders,” he said.

His favorite classes include English 3 with Amanda Holmes and College Spanish with Stacey Rhodes. And in his spare time? “I like to hang with my friends and listen to music, pop, mostly like Celine Deon and Shawn Mendes.”