Freshman year. For some it’s fun for some it’s a long agonizing year filled with a load of work and teasing. Freshman Jeff Schultz, a soccer player who made varsity his first year in the school, is having a good year so far. His job on the team made it easier for him to get adjusted to a high school environment. Let’s see how his year is going so far with a quick Q&A.
Serkan- Are you enjoying high school so far? How?
Jeffy- I am getting used to it, I really like the soccer team and the competition that brings out the best in me. I also love the classes offered here. My favorite class is Studio Art, because art demands creativity like soccer.
Serkan- Good point, son. How would you describe yourself as a student?
Jeffy- I would say that I am a pretty good student, not a trouble-maker. I get things done when they are due and I try to be respectful of my peers and teachers.
Serkan- That sounds all good Jeffy, but I feel like you aren’t telling me the whole story. Do you tend to fool around with your classmates?
Jeffy- Not all the time. 🙂
Serkan- You’re a crazy little fella aren’t you? How would you like the faculty to remember you?
Jeffy- I would like to be remembered as a straight-laced kid, respectful and smart. If I could leave my mark as one of the best soccer players this school has had, I would be more than happy.
Serkan- That’s what I like to hear kid. Let’s go back to middle school; do you miss it at all?
Jeffy- I really miss it now; simply because it was more of a comfortable setting and I felt more at home.
Serkan- Who is your favorite teacher? Why?
Jeffy- I would have to go with Mr. Davis, he is a polite teacher who makes the material simple, so it is easy to absorb.
Serkan- What does your future hold?
Jeffy- My goal for now is to graduate high school and play soccer at the collegiate level.
Serkan- Do you have a role model, what lessons have they taught you?
Jeffy- My teammate and upper classman Serkan. He is like my father, I call him dad for chuckles sometimes. He taught me many things, like to be strong on my feet and use my body to protect the ball from defenders.
Serkan- Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
Jeffy- I just want to be happy, so going in to a field that I would enjoy. My ultimate goal would be to have a career as a professional soccer player.
Serkan- Got a nick name?
Jeffy- My friends on the soccer team like to call me Jeffy.
Serkan- Any regrets? Why?
Jeffy- This interview would be one, because I don’t trust you.
Serkan- What do you want to achieve with the soccer team?
Jeffy- Hopefully as a team we can break some records and I would like to break some individual records myself. Hopefully I could make the exceptional senior game to top off my high school career.
Serkan- What roles on the team are you willing to take?
Jeffy- I am willing to be a team leader and motivate the teammates. It feels good to take initiative in something that I enjoy doing.
Serkan- What is it that you like about the soccer?
Jeffy- One thing that I love, is the freedom that I have with the ball as a midfielder. It requires a lot of creativity and intelligence. Making plays, the fast pace of the game, distributing the ball, and embarrassing defenders is something that is incomparable to other things.
Serkan- That answer just made me tear up. Couldn’t have summed it up better myself. What players do you think are going to have big contributions in the upcoming season?
Jeffy- I think we have some talent and experience. The returning seniors Max Pastor and Eric Hayes are going to have a lot to say next season. Going to have more freshman who are going to play an integral part throughout the season. We certainly are going to miss the seniors leaving the team, but if we put in the work until before the season, the sky is the limit for us.
Serkan- Who do you look up to in soccer? Player/Role model?
Jeffy- I really look up to all of my upperclassman, especially Serkan. He is a tough kid who got the team going.
Serkan- Who is your favorite team, player, and coach?
Jeffy- I am a big fan of Chelsea, they have a great squad. Thomas Muller of Bayern Munich has a spectacular pair of feet. I also love Roberto DiMatteo’s approach to the English game.
Serkan- Where have you traveled to play soccer?
Jeffy- I’ve been to a lot countries in Europe, there is fierce competition out there. Italy, Spain, England, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark. Each country was an incredible experience.
Serkan- What is your greatest athletic achievement?
Jeffy- Definitely making varsity my freshman year. It is very challenging because I oppose kids who are bigger and older than I am.
Jeffrey Schultz is a great example for all freshman to follow. It was a blast interviewing this young bright soccer star. The classroom in which I interviewed him was filled with laughter when I asked him if he had any regrets. Jeffy is a smart, funny, cool, and athletic student who has a lot to offer to this school, and it makes me very proud that I could pass on some of my expertise and experience to a youngster like Jeffy on and off the field. Looks like students better start filling up the seats at all of the soccer games because a star is about to roll through the high school.