Keenan Kushner, Wharton High junior
Soccer and violin player

I’ve played soccer since I was 4. My dad brought me up with it and I’ve always loved to play. I started playing violin when I was in fifth grade, but didn’t really get started until sixth grade. I always loved music and was interested in playing an instrument, and the violin was a good match for me.
A lot goes into both. For soccer, I have practice three times a week and during high school season I have (practice) five times a week. And for violin, I have to practice every night. It is difficult to do both plus schoolwork, but I manage as best I can. The thing is, to be really good at either one it takes a lot of practice. I love both and the practice is worth it, but to be REALLY GOOD, at some point I’ll have to choose which one I work to do.

The pressure of choosing is still a big factor, and I haven’t made a decision. I know in college I won’t be able to do both at the highest level, so the decision of which one to do is still up in the air. I love both, and both I have passion to do, but in the end, I’ll have to pick one and put the other on the back burner and maybe just do it for fun.

As told to Allie Davison, Wharton High