Andrew Fegenbush Success Story
KUMON STUDENT RUNS FULL-STEAM TOWARDS HIS DREAMS
Andrew, 12-years-old, Math Level J & Reading Level 110
For Andrew, running is about much more than being the first to break the finish line tape. He sees each run as a new challenge that is set in front of him. Whether he’s running to improve his pace or working to make it over a hill in a race, he maintains the same determination to keep going. Andrew’s confidence and perseverance have been shaped during his Kumon journey.
For the past five years, he has established a routine that has catapulted him to new heights in and out of the classroom. When faced with a challenge, Andrew always chooses to work that much harder and to never give up. It’s the Kumon “spirit” that motivates him to make a final push towards to finish line in a race or even to learn a new piano sonata. “Kumon has helped me to become more confident in encountering difficult challenges and overcoming those obstacles. I see this over and over in my life, not only in school assignments, but in learning a new advanced piano song with many sharps and flats,” said Andrew. “The drive to work hard and practice until I’ve mastered the musical piece is a representation of the skills I've gained from being a Kumon Student. The spirit of Kumon is within me as I crest the last hill in a cross-country race, leading the way and setting the pace as I break the finish line tape. The Kumon "spirit" is to persevere even when something is challenging. Kumon gives you the confidence to believe you can do it and prepares you for success.”
Andrew was one of 155 students from Canada, USA and Mexico who attended the Virtual Kumon Student Conference. Andrew and the other students had the opportunity to be inspired and motivated by Kumon Ambassadors, former top Kumon Students who are now excelling in their careers and extracurricular pursuits. They also met each other in virtual breakout rooms and engaged in a discussion about methods of teaching.
Andrew shares with us who his inspiration is and his plans for the future.
What do you enjoy most about Kumon?
What I enjoy most about Kumon is the satisfaction of completing a Kumon Worksheet. I’ve always loved the sense of accomplishment when completing something that is challenging and advancing even when it is difficult to persevere.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up, I want to be a sports medicine doctor, that way I can help people. I feel that combining my love for sports and my dream of becoming a medical doctor would enable me to utilize many of my talents and skills.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration is Meb Keflezighi. I look up to him because he never gives up, no matter how much adversity he faces. He has survived a war-torn country and moved to the U.S. for a bright future for his family. His mindset has always been academics first, athletics second. Meb has gone through many injuries and made it through all of it. It seems as if when he goes through those injuries he learns and gets even better. He is a professional runner that has a family that is dedicated to hard work over everything else. That is why the family is so successful. He is the most decorated U.S. male runner in the history of the marathon. That is why I get inspired every time I go through an injury in running or go through hardships.
How do you continue to stay motivated in Kumon even when work becomes challenging?
I continue to stay motivated in Kumon even when work becomes challenging because I know how close I am to finishing it, while I am also mastering the skills I need to advance. I also see Kumon is similar to sports. The higher you are in the program, the smarter you become. The higher you are in the program, the more trophies and medals you receive, and the higher your ranking in the nation is as well as how much knowledge you gain.