Hersey's Kopeny charitable
off pitch, but not on it
By Mike Garofola
After watching McKenna Kopeny, It takes only a moment to realize that she is a magnificent defender.
The senior came to the high school game after playing her freshman season with FC United. With the Huskies she became one of the few players to be on the 'PLEASE AVOID' list for opposing coaches and strikers.
However, in addition to being a first class player, Kopeny also believes in doing all that she can to give back to those in need. She gives a generous amount of her time away from soccer to do so just that.
"McKenna was a great additon to our team and program," said her manager Mike Rusniak.
"She is a true student of the game and will embrace any challenge she is presented with. That is usually the task of shutting down the best and strongest attacking player the opposition has.
"(McKenna) is also one of the most selfless individuals I've ever coached and is passionate about helping others. That is exemplified with her involvement in various student activities, most notably through her leadership in Service Over Self (SOS) club here in the high school."
Hersey High School, named after the Pultizer Prize-winning author, opened its doors in the fall of 1968 and soon afterwards SOS was born.
Through the wonderful leadership of of its longtime sponsor, Mark Gunther, SOS has provided opportunities for Hersey students to be a part of several programs throughout the school year designed to help organizations and groups in around the area.
"(SOS) is actually a class for seniors," Kopeny said. "We spend part of our period each day planning service events such as 'Funner Olympics' for kids in the community with mental and physical disabilites, a food drive, Senior Olympics Day, a dance marathon for a local cafe that employs young adults with cognitive, and physical disabilites, and so much more."
Last year at its annual school-wide food drive, SOS collected nearly 50,000 cans of food. The group raised money for Robert Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago with a dance marathon and raised more than $25,000.
Kopeny, who is on the 2020 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List was directly in charge of Senior Olympics, which was a day filled with games of baggos, Wii bowling and much more.
"Senior Day was great fun, and we all enjoyed taking part in it," Kopeny said. "I'm really excited to have a major role working with Jim Miks (English Teacher and VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award winner) and our veterans team."
Kopeny said the Veterans Team has been involved in fundraising and raising awareness in the hopes of building a Veterans Village in Illinois to help those returning from war and their transition back into society.
"We've partnered with so many great organizations: Project Headspace and Timing, Chicago Marines Foundation, CreatiVets and others, while staying connected through social media with Hersey alumni who are currently serving."
Kopeny stuggled to get started in the prep game. She was on the injured list throughout her sophomore season following back injury.
Last year, along with her backline teammates Jane Stefaniak, Genna Hill and keeper Emma Hager, the Huskies proved to be a stingy bunch and claimed eight clean-sheets on their way to a Mid-Suburban League East Division title and a spot in the MSL Soccer Bowl against Barrington (a 1-0 loss).
Kopeny has high expectations for Hersey after a hoped for defeat of the coronavirus and resumption of the IHSA season.
"We lost a couple of quality senior players, but with Jane, Genna and Emma along the back, and having someone like Chloe (Sena) up-top to score and create, I know we all felt like we would have a chance to get back to the Soccer Bowl once again," she said.
Kopeny has set her sights high after she graduates.
Northwestern and Yale are her top choices, where the plan is to do her undergraduate work in neuroscience.
"I can see myself becoming a surgeon, working with injuries to athletes, especially after going through my back surgery, and the slow process of physical therapy," she said.
"Hersey is such an amazing school. I don't want to leave. But for now, it's all about working out to stay in shape, and ready, with the hope we'll be out there playing soon."
off pitch, but not on it
By Mike Garofola
After watching McKenna Kopeny, It takes only a moment to realize that she is a magnificent defender.
The senior came to the high school game after playing her freshman season with FC United. With the Huskies she became one of the few players to be on the 'PLEASE AVOID' list for opposing coaches and strikers.
However, in addition to being a first class player, Kopeny also believes in doing all that she can to give back to those in need. She gives a generous amount of her time away from soccer to do so just that.
"McKenna was a great additon to our team and program," said her manager Mike Rusniak.
"She is a true student of the game and will embrace any challenge she is presented with. That is usually the task of shutting down the best and strongest attacking player the opposition has.
"(McKenna) is also one of the most selfless individuals I've ever coached and is passionate about helping others. That is exemplified with her involvement in various student activities, most notably through her leadership in Service Over Self (SOS) club here in the high school."
Hersey High School, named after the Pultizer Prize-winning author, opened its doors in the fall of 1968 and soon afterwards SOS was born.
Through the wonderful leadership of of its longtime sponsor, Mark Gunther, SOS has provided opportunities for Hersey students to be a part of several programs throughout the school year designed to help organizations and groups in around the area.
"(SOS) is actually a class for seniors," Kopeny said. "We spend part of our period each day planning service events such as 'Funner Olympics' for kids in the community with mental and physical disabilites, a food drive, Senior Olympics Day, a dance marathon for a local cafe that employs young adults with cognitive, and physical disabilites, and so much more."
Last year at its annual school-wide food drive, SOS collected nearly 50,000 cans of food. The group raised money for Robert Lurie Childrens Hospital in Chicago with a dance marathon and raised more than $25,000.
Kopeny, who is on the 2020 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List was directly in charge of Senior Olympics, which was a day filled with games of baggos, Wii bowling and much more.
"Senior Day was great fun, and we all enjoyed taking part in it," Kopeny said. "I'm really excited to have a major role working with Jim Miks (English Teacher and VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award winner) and our veterans team."
Kopeny said the Veterans Team has been involved in fundraising and raising awareness in the hopes of building a Veterans Village in Illinois to help those returning from war and their transition back into society.
"We've partnered with so many great organizations: Project Headspace and Timing, Chicago Marines Foundation, CreatiVets and others, while staying connected through social media with Hersey alumni who are currently serving."
Kopeny stuggled to get started in the prep game. She was on the injured list throughout her sophomore season following back injury.
Last year, along with her backline teammates Jane Stefaniak, Genna Hill and keeper Emma Hager, the Huskies proved to be a stingy bunch and claimed eight clean-sheets on their way to a Mid-Suburban League East Division title and a spot in the MSL Soccer Bowl against Barrington (a 1-0 loss).
Kopeny has high expectations for Hersey after a hoped for defeat of the coronavirus and resumption of the IHSA season.
"We lost a couple of quality senior players, but with Jane, Genna and Emma along the back, and having someone like Chloe (Sena) up-top to score and create, I know we all felt like we would have a chance to get back to the Soccer Bowl once again," she said.
Kopeny has set her sights high after she graduates.
Northwestern and Yale are her top choices, where the plan is to do her undergraduate work in neuroscience.
"I can see myself becoming a surgeon, working with injuries to athletes, especially after going through my back surgery, and the slow process of physical therapy," she said.
"Hersey is such an amazing school. I don't want to leave. But for now, it's all about working out to stay in shape, and ready, with the hope we'll be out there playing soon."