By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
Hannah Freund is a senior at De Pere High School.
She is actively involved in choir and theater.
In her spare time, Freund studies Spanish and hopes to live in Spain someday.
She plans to attend the University of Michigan to study theater.
Name: Hannah Freund
School: De Pere
Activities: Choir, theater.
Parent: Susan Dutton
Tell me about your family.
“My older sister Nora is 32 and my brother Colin is 35 – they went to Luxemburg-Casco High School. My mom was born in Germany and raised in Japan. My grandfather was a diplomat. My mom moved to the United States when she was 8 years old, moved back to Japan for her teenage years and then back here for college. My mom’s entire family can speak Japanese.”
Do you come from a music/theater family?
“My mom was involved with theater as a kid, my sister is artistic and there are a few actresses in the family.”
What is your dream job?
“My dream is big – I want to have a career in theater. I’m not sure if it will be in performing, directing or management. Northeastern Wisconsin has a nice availability with the performing arts, but I don’t see myself living here after graduating from college. Spain would be nice.”
Have you done sports at De Pere?
“I played soccer when I was younger but nothing at De Pere.”
Do you wish you had?
“Sports have not been a big part of my life, so I’m happy with what I’ve done at De Pere.”
Do you have a most memorable performing moment?
“My junior year, I was the lead in my school’s musical, the ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ It was the musical that introduced me to musical theater. Audrey was my dream role since the seventh grade, so it was an exciting moment for me.”
An embarrassing one?
“Rehearsing for this year’s musical, ‘The Wedding Singer,’ I was a bit flustered when I was saying a line and said something inappropriate – my words tripped over themselves.”
On a Sunday morning, you can usually find me …
“Going out for coffee with my friends and procrastinating my homework.”
Do you get nervous performing in front of a group?
“I’ve gotten used to it, but the nerves are always there.”
Does a favorite family vacation come to mind?
“Before my sixth-grade year, we went to Japan to visit where my mom spent her summers. It was a place called Lake Nojiri, and we stayed in a cabin. My mom equates it to the Door County of Japan.”
What is something about you most people don’t know?
“I haven’t had much time, but I love to read – I miss it.”
What three words describe you?
“Ambitious, artistic, empathetic.”
What will you miss about De Pere?
“The relationships I have formed with everyone in the choir and theater programs – it’s been a big part of my life. I give a lot of credit to De Pere’s performing arts program.”
How will you be remembered at De Pere?
“As the theater kid who could speak Spanish.”
Favorites
Food: My mom’s sushi hand roll
Color: Blue
Animal: Cat
Ice cream: Chocolate chip cookie dough
Song: “Wherever You Go” by Ricky Mulberry
Editor’s note: Read about Jacob Nugent from the Bay Port football and lacrosse teams in last week’s Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight.