by Sheri Duff

Nora Kaszubowski is passionate about track. She has not only competed as a sprinter in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay on the CVU track and field team throughout high school she also has participated in the indoor track and field club for the past three years. Then there is the little matter of her Graduation Challenge. Kaszubowski chose to coach youth track and field as her Grad Challenge project. Since Shelburne lacks a track and field program,

Kaszubowski was a volunteer coach for young athletes in the towns of Williston, Hinesburg, and Charlotte. "Nora is a committed track athlete, always ready to step up and compete," according to CVU head track and field coach Eli Enman, "I'm most impressed that she did her Grad Challenge about coaching, using her experience and then volunteering to coach with the middle school program run out of CVU last summer. I think in the future Nora would make a great coach, and I hope she follows up on this dream of hers."  

"I loved coaching so much last summer that I have committed to doing it again," she stated. "Even though I don't get paid, I really enjoyed the kids and am looking forward to getting started again this summer."

Born in Burlington on May 16, 1992 Kaszubowski and her family lived briefly in Colchester before moving to Shelburne. Her family includes parents, Mary and Ken, and younger brother Joe, currently a junior at CVU.

Kaszubowski gave cross country running a try in seventh and eighth grade at the Shelburne Community School but quickly realized that she enjoyed short distance running or sprinting better. In her first year at CVU, she went out for the track and field team. "I really liked track a lot as a freshman. The next year I sprinted for enjoyment and now I have a passion for it," she shared.

A four-year varsity athlete, Kaszubowski admits that she doesn't adhere to any meet ritual aside from her normal warm up before each event. Even a quick listen to her favorite music is unnecessary before a sprint or relay. "I have very eclectic taste in music," she offered. "But to be honest Pearl Jam is my favorite," she said.

In addition to track and field at CVU, Kaszubowski has been involved in Future Business Leaders of America, class council, and DUO, a community learning program with a mission to encourage and recognize student learning through community involvement beyond CVU. Students may earn credit for volunteer, community-based learning endeavors through participation in organizations that serve our communities. Kaszubowski was involved with The Burlington Art Hop, Habitat for Humanity, and Racevermont.com to name a few. Her favorite community service project has been her two experiences volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. "It combines so many things that I enjoy: traveling, working with others, meeting new people and getting to know people that I already know better, being outside, and learning new skills," she said. "I am blown away by the work that Habitat for Humanity does. Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity has been a very rewarding experience in ways that are beyond explanation."

After graduation, Kaszubowski will join the class of 2014 at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn. She chose the university because, "It's in a good location, I heard great things about the academics and professors, plus scholarship money was available." Currently Kaszubowski is undecided about her college major but is interested in exploring many areas of study including architecture, psychology, philosophy as well as business/management.
No matter what focus Kaszubowski chooses, this reporter is confident that she is running towards a successful future.