Q: How do you feel about being inducted into the athletics hall of fame?

A: I’m just really honored and so grateful for the recognition. I was really surprised when I heard about it. I’m just honored and humbled to be recognized with all these other great athletes and friends of NCHS that have gone before [me].

Q: Were there any lessons you learned from your career that you’d like to share with students today?

A: Some of the things that I learned from it was just the teamwork aspect and learning how to be a good teammate. Learning how to follow and, if called to, learning how to lead is going to be very important in any career in any part of your life. That’s something that I took away from athletics in particular, and the ability to work hard and sacrifice for goals is something that I took away from my experience.

Q: What was the highlight of your experience at Central or what are you most proud of?

A: How successful particularly the girls basketball team was during that period of time that I was here. We had some really good years. We just happened to run into some really good players in Joliet East and could never quite get downstate. But I think just the overall performance of the girls basketball team back then was my biggest highlight.

Q: How has your time as an athlete helped your life beyond your Naperville Central experience?

A: I think [it helped with] particularly with my experience in the army. It kind of ties back in with Title Nine and that kind of thing because I was going into a field that’s mostly men. And to be able to hold your own athletically helped you really gain a foothold and gain acceptance with the men. Having that athletic background really helped me when I got into the army to gain that acceptance and have that understanding of how to be a good teammate. That really laid a foundation for me to then be successful in the army.

Q: What message or advice do you have for our current students?

A: Just enjoy your time while you’re doing it. Yes, you want to set goals and look toward your future, but enjoy what you’re doing while you’re going through it.

Q: Anything you would like to add?

A: Keep athletics and keep being fit as part of your life.