Your Name
Madison Nilan
What High School do you attend?
Oakdale High School
Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am the only deaf individual in my family, my main language is ASL. I love to swim and lift & I also love dogs. I grew up attending Maryland School for the Deaf but transferred to Oakdale Middle in middle of 7th grade!
My family are all hearing and they are some of the most hardworking people I know. They like do a lot of things outside and also travel.
What are your plans after graduation?
I am attending George Mason University with major of Criminology and possible minor in psychology.
What are two of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I would say it would be Black Hog and Lazy Fish!
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
It would be Costa Rica because I love the beach and it is so beautiful. Their food and culture is so interesting to me too!
What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movie series would be Twilight or Hunger game. For tv show, it would be Dexter and Greys Anatomy.
If you were asked to give advice to your senior class and the younger students at your school, what would you say?
For senior class, I would say finding a major that makes you happy is more important than picking a major and not enjoying it. Enjoy as much as you can before you go to college. For the younger kids; grades and activities are so important but also know your worth. People will always come and go. Focus on yourself and remember what you can do but also challenge yourself. Its never too late to do anything.
If you were able to be cast as yourself into a television show or series, what show would you want to be in?
I would say probably tv show called Friends.
If you could choose anyone to have lunch with, who would you choose? Why? And where, locally, would you meet for this lunch?
I would love to meet Marlee Matlin, She is very well known in the deaf community and I love her in all of her shows and movies. I think she would be good person to chat with and enjoy lunch. I would probably go to Pistarro’s because it’s very good restaurant and its local.
What is your favorite thing about our community?
I love how much awareness there is for deaf people and its big here compared to other places. I love downtown Frederick, it is close to everywhere.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself working in the Federal area as CSI or psychologist.
What is something on your bucket list?
Skydiving is one of something that is on my list. I am going to skydive on my 18th birthday with my dad!
What is your go to band / singer when you can’t decide what to listen to?
N/A 🙂
Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I love May and June but my favorite holiday has always been Christmas. New Year’s Eve is one of my favorite days too!
What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I would say vanilla ice cream always!
What is something you want to do as soon as this pandemic is finished?
Travel the world without worrying about anything.
Who inspires you to be better?
My parents. They always have pushed me farther to be a better person. They always will challenge me and I love them.