Kristinka Kuzar is a senior at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School. She has been very involved in her class, as well as playing soccer, basketball and softball. Kris is known to be an outgoing, sweet person who has enjoyed her time at JFKMHS. Kristinka will move on to pursue Criminal Justice at Rutgers University.
If you could give your freshman self some advice, what would you tell her and why?
Kris: I would tell her to definitely be more extroverted and do activities that are outside of what she would usually do. I came into this school very scared, and looking back it’s so crazy to think about. Now I play sports, sing the national anthem, and do all these things that I was too shy to do as a kid. I couldn’t imagine being able to do that if I didn’t put myself out there.
You’re going to Rutgers next fall, why did you choose that college and what led you to pick your major?
Kris: I chose criminal justice, and that is something I have been wanting to do since sixth grade. I used to do the junior police academy, and volunteered at the police department, as well as community service hours outside of school. It’s something that I’ve wanted to do and [taking] law and society with Kelman, who recommended me to take it. He makes the class so fun even though the class can be [hard] at times he makes it enjoyable. New Brunswick was always something I looked at because going to the football games and having school spirit is something I always wish JFK had more of.
Have you experienced senioritis? If you have, tell me what it is like.
Kris: Senioritis is so weird, you wouldn’t expect to have it. You would think that you would be fine. I used to always do everything on time, days before it was even due. Now it is so hard to even do a worksheet in parenting about kids. You are almost there, about to graduate, but it is still a month away so it’s so annoying [to deal with]. [Senioritis] It’s something everyone goes through even though they wish they didn’t.
You played three sports at JFK, will you continue to play these for fun or even organized?
Kris: New Brunswick is different. [Rutgers] New Brunswick, they are D1, and I don’t think I’m good enough for D1, and you have to spend all your time there [playing and practicing]. I’m going to definitely play sports intermediate because I want to make new friends and that is a great place to do it.
You were in many activities in JFK, which one was your favorite?
Kris: I would say soccer and softball just for the fact that the team dynamic we had for both made everything so fun. Soccer, we won a lot of games, so that helped as well as everyone being so welcoming. For softball, the dynamic just worked even though the games weren’t as easy.
Do you have a favorite teacher at JFK? Who is it and why?
Kris: I have a couple. First, Mrs. Doran. She was like a mother to me, and I always had to shout her out… I just love her. [Mrs. Doran] is a rule follower and she’s so easy to make laugh, when you make her laugh, it’s such a heartwarming feeling. I love Mr. Kelman, he’s such a goofball at heart, though he’s so hard to crack. If you make him laugh, it’s so funny. He does hunting, so all the kids talk about his hunts, and he didn’t catch this one turkey that he wanted, and it’s now his wallpaper on his iPad. I’m reminded of that turkey every day.
Are there any regrets you have in your four years? Is there something you wish you had done?
Kris: Not making the friends that I should have made. Even though I made more friends in classes, I should’ve talked to people I usually wouldn’t talk with. Now I’m meeting people senior year and it just sucks that we are just gonna have to leave. I wouldn’t have known them if I hadn’t opened my mouth, and it is so upsetting that you’ve known them for four years- probably even longer- and then you realize that they were these cool people and you’ve never spoken to them before.
What do you think was your biggest accomplishment?
Kris: My biggest accomplishment is definitely playing sports, I’ve never played before this. Also, opening up in those sports and activities allowed me to make connections with my teachers and create [closer bonds] with my friends.
What was the hardest year in high school? Why?
Kris: I think junior year. Everyone is like “oh, it’s going to be hard…” and then again, I think I’m going to be fine. You start it [junior year], and it starts when the SAT prep, and everything, and you’re just preparing yourself. After you finish it, you realize it wasn’t that bad and it gets easier afterward.
Who has given the best advice and what was it?
Kris: It would have to be my softball coach. It’s definitely because I have to deal with the pressure of the time on the softball field, and pressure is not something that I deal with well. She told me, “Be the best you can be because you are out there for a reason”. The spot that I have on the field shows that I’m good enough to play, I just have to believe in myself. Everyone else on the team knows how I am and knows that I can do it, I just have to do it for myself.
