By By SPIROS GALLOS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Being a three-sport athlete doesn't afford Jeff VanLaere a lot of free time between games, practice and school work, but throw in the fact he volunteers and has a 3.8 grade point average, it's surprising he finds the time to sleep.
It doesn't matter what season it is, VanLaere can be found playing football in the fall, wrestling in the winter, and running track in the spring.
VanLaere started the season as quarterback for the varsity football team, but had to sit it out after he injured his finger in the Bobcats' second game this year.
While he couldn't lead his team on the football field, he could set the example of how an athlete could support his team.
VanLaere said he likes football more than wrestling and track because of the companionship that develops from working together as a team, as opposed to his other sports where he competes by himself.
In the winter, VanLaere wrestles at the 152 pound weight category. Last year, he was a "secret weapon" for the team.
When the top wrestler, then senior Evan Smith, would face an easy opponent, VanLaere would take his place in the 152 pound class, and Smith would be bumped up to the 160 class to face a tougher opponent.
VanLaere also runs the 200 and 400 meter dash events for the varsity track team.
When asked how he manages to do so much, VanLaere credits his father, John, with instilling a hard work ethic in him.
As part of the school's Professional Health Careers Academy, VanLaere is also a member of the Health Occupation Students of America. In the group, students hold debates and work on projects which compete with other projects from groups across the nation.
In addition to playing three sports, VanLaere also teaches at the school as one of science teacher Jeff Myer's advanced biology cadet teachers.
As a cadet teacher, VanLaere teaches students the hand-on lessons in botany, anatomy, and ecology.
Cadet teachers are students who have already taken the class they're teaching and have been invited back by the teacher to help students currently taking the class.
Myers said VanLaere's work ethic and attitude are his defining characteristics.
When asked if he would ever consider a career in teaching, VanLaere said the possibility is not very high.
In addition to working with his peers in a mentor role, VanLaere also works as the tech-aid for the Brandywine Elementary laptop computer program.
VanLaere helped set up the laptops for the sixth graders to use and now will work with teachers to familiarize them with the new technology.
VanLaere now works as a sort of mentor for the sixth graders, answering any questions they have about middle school and high school.
After graduation, VanLaere would like to attend Duke University for pre-med and then medical school. He's still awaiting a decision from Duke over his admission.
VanLaere wants to focus on cardiovascular surgery because he's amazed at how quickly someone can recover from an illness after heart surgery.
In addition to his work at school, VanLaere also volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of South Bend, where he sells ice cream at Notre Dame football games.
When he needs to relax, VanLaere holds parties to play the video game Halo with his friends. VanLaere confessed he is exited about the release of Halo 2 on Nov. 9.
VanLaere's scientific curiosity is also evident in his favorite television show, "Myth Busters" on the Discovery Channel. The show scientifically proves or disproves commonly passed around myths.
The most ironic thing about his desired profession as a surgeon is VanLaere's biggest fear, which not a lot of people know about.