Joseph Kaszubowski '15 Recruiting Profile

Service

I believe that service to others provides two benefits, one to the person or group who is being served and the other to the person providing help.  I get a great sense of accomplishment and self-worth when I have the opportunity to help others.  I also have a lot of fun!  I have been involved through my parish youth group in providing help to others thru lawn care projects for the elderly, clean-up projects for the church, craft workshops, gardening projects to help harvest vegetables for canning and other projects.  I participate in several music clubs at high school including House Band and Jazz Ensemble where we play at various sporting events, assemblies and special days at the high school as well as reach out to the community for entertaining concerts. I really enjoy playing the national anthem for some of the sports events! Our high school Key Club which I participate in also does many of the same types of projects as the church youth group does.  I also help with baseball and diving lessons thru the club teams I belong to.  I think that giving back to others what you have learned is important.  My parents served on the school board, parish council, teaching, and help design community related items such as our high school football field and baseball field on a volunteer basis.  My dad has coached my sister and I in youth sports as a volunteer since we could walk.  They are great examples for me of giving back to the community.

Leadership

I am a quiet person, so the best way I can lead on the field is by example.  I try to be as competitive as possible, work hard and never give up.  I try to always be positive and encouraging and avoid negativity.  One example of leadership off the field is taking on the role of coach for our high school dive team.  Our high school swim and dive program does not have a diving coach, yet we have had up to four or five divers during the swim season.  I try to be a leader by helping to coach the other kids on the dive team, help them with their timing, form and give them confidence to try new and more difficult dives.  This takes quite a bit of time and energy but it is very worthwhile because the other guys on the team seem to appreciate that I am willing to help them out and make them better as well.  I also volunteer to take spots on the swim team in our meets if no one else is swimming the event so at least our team can get a few points by having at least one person in the race.  I think leading by example is the best way to lead, and helps others see the way to get the job done, whatever the job happens to be.

Performance

Healthy athletic performance to me means being competitive while at the same time being encouraging of your team mates and complimentary to your opponents.  Athletics is a great way to test yourself and it is important to realize that the other guys are doing the same thing, so why not recognize their efforts as well.  I love competitions and games where everyone seems to reach for the little extra and then all the other competitors applaud the effort.  Those moments are wonderful!  I think healthy athletic performance requires keeping things in balance and in perspective.  I try not to get too high or too down, maintaining an even keel is important and helps keep me in focus.  Good work habits and good preparation are also important.  I think it is true that you earn what you prepare for so good preparation is a key for performing well in both athletics and school.