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This Week's Student Spotlight: James Huber

Soccer standout

School: Senior at Albertus Magnus High School

Age: 17

James Huber defines the term well-rounded. His versatility in school, sports and extracurricular activities combined with his volunteer efforts exceed expectations.

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He is the captain of the Albertus Magnus Boys Varsity Soccer Team which he has played on for the past four years. In 2010, he was All-League, All-Section Honorable Mention and Most Improved Player.

James is one of the Falcon's key returning players this year and if you are a soccer fan, he is a standout midfielder and one to watch this season.

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He started playing soccer at age five for the Clarkstown Soccer Club, then joined the North Rockland Soccer Club and most recently played for the New York Soccer Club in Westchester. He has spent ten years playing on travel soccer teams.

In addition to being a standout soccer player he has been on the varsity golf team for four years and the basketball team for two years. He is an Honors student and takes AP courses.

Last summer in 2010, he was invited to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF). This is a six-day program where the student chooses his/her field of interest (medicine, law, etc.) and allows them to interact with high level professionals. Exposing the nation's top students to real world situations allows them to make educated choices for their future.

"It is not revealed who nominates a student to attend NYLF but once nominated, you receive an invitation in the mail and you can choose from various cities and programs that interest you. I selected the program in Washington DC on law and forensics. I attended seminars with impressive speakers, visited a real judicial court and more. I met kids from all over the country. It was a great experience," said Huber.

This past summer James was busy traveling to Washington D.C. and New Orleans, learning about the infrastructure of the government and helping out those devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

He was selected to represent Rockland County at the American Legion Boys State 2011 this past June.

"My AP History teacher told me to contact the American Legion representative if I was interested. Then I had to fill out an application and go on an interview. Once selected, I went to SUNY Morrisville at the end of June, where I participated in a mock government for one week. Boys State teaches the participants the responsibilities of the leaders of our government from the Governor down to the local police departments, lawyers, etc. It is run with the assistance of The United States Marine Corp. I really enjoyed it," said James.

Also this summer, in August, he traveled to New Orleans with his church youth group.

"As a member of the Youth Group at the Church of the Presentation, detailed applications are filled out each winter for those interested in going on a mission trip in the summer. I had to write a statement why I wanted to attend and obtain a few letters of recommendation. Then a committee at the church reviewed the entire packet and then I was notified that I was accepted. All those picked attend a few different day events prior to the trip, like fundraising for the trip, team building, etc. When we went to New Orleans for a week in August, we rebuilt homes devasted by Hurricane Katrina. It was run by the St. Bernard Project. It was very hard work but one of my favorite things that I ever did," said James.

In addition to sports James is also active in the  Ski Club, he was a Student Ambassador for four years, in the Mock Trial Club, a Peer Tutor, in the International Club, in the Pro Life Club - attended March for Life in Washington D.C. and Life Chain in Nanuet, in the Campus Ministry Club - he is a Eucharistic Minister.

James also volunteers to work in a Harlem soup kitchen.

"The soup kitchen that I served at was an interesting experience. We would meet at the church at 7 a.m. and then go into  the city to the location where  we prepared and cooked the food. When the people arrived we served them, cleaned up after them, washed the dishes and cleaned the room. It was an eye opening experience and very rewarding."

In addition to sports, schoolwork, volunteer work, the extracurricular clubs and activities he also has a job. He works in the rectory at St. Margarets parish on the weekends assisting parishoners, helping out with what is going on in the parish, he even answers the phones. He is also responsible for setting up the chairs in the gym on Saturday and taking them down on Sunday in order for CYO to play ball.

James has coached an Orangetown Mighty Midgets (OMM) Soccer team for three years and worked as a camp counselor, and he was an assistant coach for St. Margaret's 3rd grade CYO basketball team. Through OMM he has been a volunteer for 10 years with Buddy Ball sports. Acting as a buddy to children with disabilities. 

With only a few weeks into his senior year of high school, James is thinking about and working towards his future.

"I definitely plan to attend college and am exploring my options of playing soccer," said Huber.

Whatever college it is that James chooses to attend will be very fortunate to have such a hard working, disciplined, selfless young man.

Best of luck James and enjoy your senior year of high school!

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