Quick Q&A: Ethan Berube, Park of Cottage Grove soccer

After being named a winner of the Minnesota State High School League's ExCEL Award (Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership), Berube talked with Jim Paulsen during a rare quiet moment.

Q: What does winning the ExCEL award mean?

A: It's a huge honor. It recognizes all of the hours of extracurricular activity you give to the community.

Q: Was it a goal of yours?

A: I don't do things hoping to get a reward, I just do them to better the community. It's super cool to get recognized for something you'd be doing anyway.

Q: What did you receive?

A: We got a plaque. It didn't come with a scholarship, but I can imagine having the ExCEL award might help get a college application moved toward the top of the stack.

A: I love the camaraderie. … You go into a season preparing to play soccer but you come out with 18 brothers.

Q: Your season so far?

A: It's been going really well. I played center [midfield] back since I was little, but this year I've been moved to center striker attack.

Q: You've also been involved in choir, speech, Student Council, Link Crew, Youth Advisory Council, the Park News Network. Where do you find the time?

A: I could never settle for just doing one or two things. I've tried to dabble in everything, and I've enjoyed everything. I always say, "My plate can always get bigger."

A: I guess I hope they say I'm hardworking and that I'm always trying to be positive and make things around me better.