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: Mackenzie Heck
School: Kimberly
Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer
Other school clubs/activities: Link Crew, National Honors Society, and Life Force
Parents’ names: John and Kathy Heck
Siblings’ names: Michael
Favorite aspect of your school: My favorite aspect of my school is hands down the immeasurable amount of opportunities there are for each and every individual to succeed. I am constantly amazed as to how many different avenues there are for people to get involved in and take advantage of, and to see kids taking advantage and getting huge rewards from the opportunities available is a really neat thing to see and be a part of.
Favorite aspect about being involved in school activities: My favorite part about being involved in school activities is being able to spend time with my best friends! They are the greatest support system, greatest time, and greatest people, and I've created so many lifelong memories and learned so many valuable lessons by being involved in school activities.
If you have been involved in community service projects, which has been most rewarding and why? The most rewarding community service project for me was going on the Catholic Heart Work Camp mission trips. These trips are very eye opening and allow you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than you and truly make you aware of how good you have it!
College or post-high school plans: Attend either the University of Minnesota or UW-Madison
Desired Major: Biology
Desired Career Field: Physician's Assistant or Pediatrician
What is your favorite class? Biology
Who is your favorite teacher? Mr. Hagmann
Favorite book: Anything by Nicholas Sparks
Favorite youth coach: Brian Smarzinski or Phil Cartwright
What is the best advice one of your coaches has given you? One of my favorite coaches told me that in order to succeed I must continually work as hard as I can each and every day to be not only the best athlete but the best teammate and leader I can be, and the only person I should strive to be better than is the person I was yesterday.
Something people would be surprised to know about me is…: I had braces for 7 years!
Favorite place to play on the road in the FVA? Neenah
Favorite athlete to compete against in the FVA: Taylor Ball - Kaukauna
Favorite memory from being involved in co-curricular activities is…: Making it to the state tournament for basketball my junior year
Favorite professional team: Green Bay Packers
Favorite professional athlete: Jordy Nelson
Favorite person to follow on Twitter: Elly Pirman
A non-athletic talent I have is…: Baking