Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the spring season, the Upper Iowa Athletics Department is spending the next few months spotlighting many of our Peacock student-athletes whose spring seasons came to a premature end.
 
In today's virtual interview, Pete the Peacock gets to know UIU softball's Jessie twins. Originally from O'Fallon, Mo., Samantha and Sara came to Fayette a year ago from Fort Zumwalt High School. Samantha is majoring in marketing and graphic design, while Sara is an exercise science major.

PETE: How would you describe yourself in three words?          
SAMANTHA: Motivated, accountable, and organized
SARA: Dedicated, focused, and committed

PETE: What made you want to be a collegiate student-athlete?        
SAMANTHA: The love of the game and the endless number of opportunities that being a student-athlete provides you with
SARA: Having all the hard work of past years pay off

PETE: What have you learned about what it takes to be a student-athlete?          
SAMANTHA: Being a student athlete takes commitment and dedication. Your sport is your job. You dedicate your life to your sport and with that comes success.
SARA: It requires you to have good time management skills

PETE: What is your favorite way to de-stress?      
SAMANTHA: I enjoy going for walks and enjoying nature when I am stressed out.
SARA: Watching Grey's Anatomy

PETE: What advice would you give to your 14-year old self?   
SAMANTHA: I would tell my younger self not to sweat the small stuff. Learn from your mistakes and you will come out smarter and stronger.

PETE: What is something most people don't know about you?          
SAMANTHA: I HATE ladybugs
SARA: I used to live in Indiana

PETE: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?       
SAMANTHA: There is always something to do whether it's attending a Saint Louis Blues or Cardinals game, going shopping, or even hiking.
SARA: I like being close to everything

PETE: What is your favorite thing about Fayette?
SAMANTHA: There are a ton of hidden trails to go on.
SARA: The people I've met

PETE: How do you want to be remembered?        
SAMANTHA: I want to be remembered as the person who always made people laugh. I want to be remembered for my kindness and positivity.
SARA: I want to be remembered as someone who is caring and puts others first

PETE: What are the top three things on your bucket list?         
SAMANTHA: Visit a different country, skydive, and see the northern lights
SARA: Travel the world, get my own dog, and swim with dolphins

PETE: What is your dream job if money wasn't a factor?
SAMANTHA: If money wasn't a factor, I would travel the world.
SARA: I would be an EMT

PETE: Who are three people (dead or alive) you'd love to have dinner with?
SAMANTHA: Jim Carrey, Kevin Hart, and Adam Sandler
SARA: The Rock, Matthew Gubler, and Shemar Moore

PETE: What is your most memorable sports moment?  
SAMANTHA: Winning World Series in 14U
SARA: Winning Nationals in 14U

PETE: What fictional character (movie, TV show, book, cartoon, etc.) would you want to be for a day? Why?     
SAMANTHA: I would want to be Wonder Women for a day so that I could be able to fly and superhuman strength and speed.
SARA: Meredith Grey

PETE: What is your favorite home cooked meal? 
SAMANTHA: Biscuits and gravy
SARA: Baked steak and mashed potatoes

PETE: What is your dream vacation spot? Why? What would you want to do there?     
SAMANTHA: I would visit an island in Hawaii and spend my days there relaxing on the beach.
SARA: Costa Rica to see the monkeys

PETE: If you were president for a day, what would you change?        
SAMANTHA: I would strengthen education systems.
SARA: I would create a better educational system

PETE: What is your favorite restaurant in the world? What do you order? 
SAMANTHA: Applebee's, Boneless wings
SARA: Chili's, Baked potato soup

PETE: What does your dream life after retirement look like?  
SAMANTHA: Traveling the world with my future husband and dogs
SARA: Moving to the beach with my future husband and dog

PETE: What is your favorite non-sport hobby?     
SAMANTHA: Designing t-shirts
SARA: Shopping

PETE: What are three things you cannot live without?  
SAMANTHA: My family and friends, my dog, and coffee
SARA: My phone, dog and family

PETE: Where or who do you get your inspiration from?
SAMANTHA: My dad
SARA: My grandpa Jessie

PETE: What is one cause that you hold dear to your heart? Why?     
SAMANTHA: Breast Cancer Awareness; many people in my life have suffered from it.
SARA: Breast Cancer Awareness because a lot of people in my life have been affected by it

PETE: What is your go-to karaoke song?     
SAMANTHA: Slow Ride by Foghat
SARA: Boys by Lizzo

PETE: If you had a podcast, what would it be about?     
SAMANTHA: What it's like having a twin
SARA: My dog's life

PETE: What category would you own in a trivia competition?
SAMANTHA: Christmas songs
SARA: Parts of the body

PETE: Who would your dream co-star be in a movie?    
SAMANTHA: Melissa McCarthy
SARA: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

PETE: What would you bring on a one-way trip to Mars?         
SAMANTHA: My dog, my phone so that I could take pictures and videos, and lots of food and water
SARA: My family (including my dog), phone, and Chick-fil-A

PETE: What is your go-to home workout?  
SAMANTHA: Yoga
SARA: Taking my dog for a walk
                                              
Special thanks to Samantha and Sara for taking the time to chat with Pete! To view previous virtual interviews, please click here.