Senior Lorelei Lorentzen has been a student of John F. Kennedy Memorial High School for the past four years and has participated in various sports such as soccer, basketball and softball. Lorelei plans to attend Drew University to pursue a degree in finance and play softball.
I know you’re having success in softball. What contributes to that success?
I had some goals that I wanted to get for my senior year, and I knew they weren’t going to be easy, considering the fact that I missed a season, and I wanted to get 100 hits. So I had to put in a lot of work in the off-season to make sure I could get that goal comfortably, and I know all of the work I put in paid off.
In your opinion, what separates John F. Kennedy Memorial High School from other schools?
The academics here are amazing, and I don’t think I would have pushed myself to take more challenging classes if I didn’t go to JFK. The opportunities here have been endless. I’ve gone out of my comfort zone many times just to try something new that JFK has to offer.
I know that you are attending Drew University. What are you most excited about?
I am most excited about playing softball at a higher level because it is something I have dreamed of for such a long time. It is also going to give me the opportunity to make new friends and grow up without being stuck in my hometown.
If you had to advise a freshman on what to expect at JFK, what advice would you give?
I would say just have fun because it does go quick, and I know you might hear it from a lot of people, but it is very true. My four years have flown by, so any chance you have to try something new, go try it, even if it is out of your comfort zone.
What was the hardest thing to deal with after tearing your ACL sophomore year?
The self-doubts were definitely running through my mind, whether I would be able to come back and perform at the level I was performing at before I got hurt. I was out for three seasons and watching all of my friends play, and I couldn’t, knowing I wouldn’t be able to play that season and knowing I’ll have to do that much better next season.
From tearing your ACL in your sophomore year to batting .700 in softball, did you change anything mentally, or was it all the same mindset?
It was definitely not the same mindset because I had to relearn how to run and do everything that was second nature to me. So when I came back from my injury, I had to play with a confidence level that I never had before because you think you’re fine and then after one day, it could all be gone. So the confidence and other stuff I had to instill in myself, just so I can play at that level again.
