This week we Take Five with LJ Koch, a member of the West Milford ice hockey team. Ice hockey is important to LJ but he's got lots of other stuff going on too. Be sure to go to westmilfordmessenger.com and read our bonus five with LJ.
Name: LJ Koch
Age: 17
School/grade: Senior at West Milford High School
Activity/Sport: Ice hockey
1) Who is your biggest inspiration?
My father is my greatest inspiration because I want to make him proud of me and live up to my name. Also what inspires me to keep doing better at everything I do is my own self improvement and when I look back and see how far I've come, it makes me want to do greater and more accomplishing things.
2) What would most people be surprised to know about ice hockey?
Everyone thinks hockey is all about fighting and hitting but it truly takes skill in order to even skate at the level I and my teammates have progressed to, not to mention controlling a puck, stick handling, and shooting.
3) Who is your favorite teacher of all time and why?
I can't name one favorite but I can most definitely name three: Mr. Beatie and Mr. Van because I can go to them with any problem that I have and can talk to them in a non formal, friendly way. Also, Mrs. Monego because no matter what kind of mood I am in she can always make me feel relaxed, calm and happy when I go to work on my extra curricular art projects. She is always happy and one of the hardest working people in the building. The same goes for Mrs. Cosgrove.
4) What does being a Highlander mean to you?
Being a Highlander to me means to be yourself in a very expressive manner and to always speak your mind and to stand up for what you believe in. Also to excel and be the best you can be at everything you do.
5) What do you do with your time when you are not playing hockey?
When I'm not at hockey I'm either snow boarding, riding my street bike, building something, cooking, playing Super Smash Bros, always with friends, trying to think of a new way to do something, and I always have ideas going for ways to make money.
What a busy guy you are, LJ! And it's great that you take pride in doing your best and representing the Highlanders.
Do you know someone who should be featured here at Take Five? Let us know. Email us at njoffice@strausnews.com and tell us who and why. We want to let everyone in town know about the great kids in West Milford.
Bonus Five
1) How did you get involved with ice hockey?
Right after I watched the Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2004 I decided I want to play and never gave up on it ever since.
5) Name three things you would bring with you if you were on a deserted island.
I would bring a frying pan, a knife, and a spatula because I love to cook.
6) Share a favorite moment with your team.
My most memorable moment in hockey would be being on the 2009-10 team with all the seniors and upperclassmen and going to states with them and being a part of that really matters.
9) What is your favorite movie, book or character and why?
The transformer movies have always been excellent and exciting movies to watch because they always seem to have a good plot. I also love comedy movies with Jim Carey or Adam Sandler.
10) Share something no one knows about you.
I enjoy chess and golf on lazy Sunday afternoons with my best friend and teammate, Eric Dykstra.