Fox Valley Association

Each week during the 2014-15 year beginning in late October, the Fox Valley Association will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its 10 schools for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Tuesday and Thursday and individuals are selected by the school.

Name: Aaron Kubiak

School: Neenah

Sports: Tennis

Other school clubs/activities: Student Council, LAUNCH, National Honor Society, Council of Councils and French Club

Parents’ names: Curt and Karyl 

Siblings’ names: Evan and Nolan 

Favorite aspect of your school: I love the diversity at Neenah High School. With over 2,000 students,  I see someone new in the hallways almost every day. There is a club or activity available for everyone to join. The faculty members at NHS are amazing! All of my teachers have been dedicated, knowledgeable and excellent. The custodians and supportive staff are super friendly and the administrators interact with the students and truly care about them.

Favorite aspect about being involved in school activities: Being involved in school activities has really helped me meet people from different backgrounds and form friendships with others I may not have normally interacted with at school.  Through tennis I was able to spend a lot of time with two of my best friends, Ryan and Jackson, my brother Evan, and my doubles partner, Alan.

If you have been involved in community service projects, which has been most rewarding and why? The past two years I helped revamp Neenah's Homecoming week to help the school and community come together and raise money for a good cause. This year I was able to work hand in hand with Celia Nalbach, which was a great experience. The Comeback and Momentum really stand out to me because they had a tremendous impact on my life.

College or post-high school plans: I will attend the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota this fall. I hope to play tennis on their team and take advantage of their travel abroad opportunities.

What is your desired major/career field? One of the things I enjoy most in life is communication and believe it or not, public speaking.  UST has an excellent business school so I hope to pursue a degree in Business Communication.

What is your favorite class? Biotechnology

Who is your favorite teacher? Mrs. Brown, Mr. Hertting, Mr. Moriarty, Mr. Morgan, Madame Meilhon and Mr. Funk 

Favorite book: Where the Sidewalk Ends

Favorite youth coach: Coach Tom Berven. Although Coach Berven is my current coach, he was the one who got me started in tennis at a young age through the Neenah Park and Rec

What is the best advice one of your coaches has given you? In practice, my coach calls, "None of THIS!" as he swipes his arm from side to side if I chop at a volley.  He also screams, "STEP!" if I don't drive through or step into a volley.  These reminders help me remember the little things that make a big difference in match play. "It's the little things..."-Coach Judd Stevenson

Something people would be surprised to know about me is…: I hate butterflies, especially the ones with the eyes on the wings.

Favorite place to play on the road in the FVA? Appleton East, I really like the set up of their courts.

Favorite athlete to compete against in the FVA: Matt Riley and Kenan Saleh from Fond du Lac.  They're a quality team and always bring out the best in Alan and me.

Favorite memory from being involved in co-curricular activities is…: Student Council State with Sam Galloway (Neenah golfer) and our 1 and 2 singles players: Ryan Risgaard and Jackson Atassi.  We were allowed to roam the Capitol, explore State Street, and go to a rave put on by the conference.

Favorite professional team: Team USA

Favorite professional athlete: Macho Man Randy Savage

Favorite person to follow on Twitter: @liammmac

A non-athletic talent I have is…: Making and eating mega sandwiches from other sandwiches at McDonald's. I can also mix up a mean blizzard at my home-away-from-home, Neenah's downtown Dairy Queen.