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 women's golfer Julia Szepieniec. Julia is a senior from Eau Claire, Wis. who came to Fayette four years ago from Regis High School. She is majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and business administration.

PETE: How would you describe yourself in three words?          
JULIA: Driven, compassionate, and energetic

PETE: What made you want to be a collegiate student-athlete?        
JULIA: I wanted to pursue golf at the next level. A great golf shot is exhilarating, and I have always had a passion for the sport. Golf has positively impacted my life from the start. The game has always provided valuable lessons, friendships, and memories.

PETE: What have you learned about what it takes to be a student-athlete?          
JULIA: It takes time-management and a relentless drive.

PETE: What is your favorite way to de-stress?      
JULIA: Working Out/Yoga

PETE: What advice would you give to your 14-year old self?   
JULIA: Take chances.

PETE: What is something most people don't know about you?          
JULIA: I love apple pie and request one in place of a birthday cake every year.

PETE: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?       
JULIA: The deep sense of community. The local businesses have a strong presence and each one is truly unique. The people are passionate about all that they do and have a go-getter mentality.

PETE: What is your favorite thing about Fayette?
JULIA: The people. They are family.

PETE: How do you want to be remembered?        
JULIA: I was able to help at least one person when they truly needed it, gave back more than I was given, and was truly kind.

PETE: What's the best thing that has happened to you in the last month? 
JULIA: I was accepted to graduate school.

PETE: What are the top three things on your bucket list?         
JULIA: 1. Attend an event called "Summit Outside." Over 900 entrepreneurs, artists, inventors, and philanthropists from around the world ascend a mountain to network at 9,000 feet (as well as throughout the hike up). 2) Assist an organization called Charity Water in breaking ground on a new well to provide clean drinking water to a community. Serve as a set of hands on the ground to build the well. 3) Take a National Geographic Expedition Trip to Patagonia or Egypt

PETE: What is your dream job if money wasn't a factor?
JULIA: A Nascar driver or a fashion designer

PETE: Who are three people (dead or alive) you'd love to have dinner with? Why?       
JULIA: My Great Grandmas- Elizabeth & Lucy (They were the matriarchs of our family.) We would invite Princess Diana.

PETE: What is your most memorable sports moment?  
JULIA: Hole-in-One (Happened at Big Rock Country Club)

PETE: What is your favorite home cooked meal? 
JULIA: Lasagna (secret family recipe)

PETE: What is your dream vacation spot? Why? What would you want to do there?     
JULIA: The French Countryside. I'd want to spend a summer there to cook, garden, explore, and socialize with the locals.

PETE: If you were president for a day, what would you change?        
JULIA: I would do something more for veterans.

PETE: What is your favorite restaurant in the world? What do you order? 
JULIA: Cossetta's in Minneapolis, MN (down the street from the Excel Energy Center). They have the best Italian food, and I always order a fruit tarte for dessert.

PETE: What does your dream life after retirement look like?  
JULIA: Traveling the world, being surrounded by good company, and eating great food

PETE: What are three things you cannot live without? Why?  
JULIA: My faith, my family, and my friends.

PETE: Where or who do you get your inspiration from?
JULIA: Entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and go-getters

PETE: What is one cause that you hold dear to your heart? Why?     
JULIA: Autism. My little brother is autistic, and he is the biggest light in our family. His hard-work and positivity inspires me every day.

PETE: Do you play any musical instruments?        
JULIA: Piano

PETE: What is your go-to karaoke song?     
JULIA: I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
 
PETE: If your life was a song, what would the title be?  
JULIA: Save the Last Dance for Me by Michael Buble

PETE: If you had a podcast, what would it be about?     
JULIA: I would interview and learn from the top game-changers in business, design, medicine, fitness, sports, and psychology.

PETE: What category would you own in a trivia competition?
JULIA: The Real Housewives

PETE: Who would your dream co-star be in a movie?    
JULIA: Rachel McAdams

PETE: What is your go-to home workout?  
JULIA: The Boxer Ab Workout by Darebee (Can Be Found on Pinterest)
                                              
Special thanks to Julia for taking the time to chat with Pete! To view previous virtual interviews, please click here.