Hi I’m Emma Kuchera. I am a senior at Big Lake High School. Besides dance and managing the boys’ lacrosse team, I spend lot of time working on advocacy for mental health. I am very open about my story with mental health illness and I try to be the person that I needed when I was at my lowest. I often felt like I was alone and I want people to know they are not alone.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have 3 brothers and I live with the youngest one, Hank, and my parents. You might not recognize me but you probably recognize my last name! My parents and youngest brother are very involved in sports and my dad posts a lot on the Big Lake Forum!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My favorites are Lake Café and El Loro.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past or future career plan. What do you/did you love most about it?
I plan to attend NDSU after graduation this year. I would like to major in Exercise Science and become an Athletic Trainer.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have been here my entire life. My parents moved here when my mom was seven months pregnant with me.
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
My mom, Nicole Kuchera.
Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what are they and what are their names?
I have 3 dogs – 2 Miniature Dachshunds. One is 12 and his name is Oscar. The other one is 9 and her name is Millie. I also have an Australian Kelpie Lab mix and she’s one. Her name is Roo.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV Shows?
My favorite movie is Tangled and my favorite tv show is Grey’s Anatomy.
Q: What is your favorite holiday? Favorite season?
My favorite holiday is Christmas and my favorite season is Fall.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Be yourself and never be afraid to admit you need help.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I really want to go to Italy one day.
Q: What is your favorite current or former business in our community?
Grind Nutrition.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Everyone knows everyone and most people are very kind to one another.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself freshly out of college and hopefully starting a family.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I can do this weird thing with my feet where I turn them both in and out, one on top of the other.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My mom.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of Big Lake?
Home, family, and my childhood.
