Kara Straub

Kara Straub - Michigan 
Nomination by Jessica Straub
Photography by Miame Jarrett Photography
Issue 94 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​Nomination: Kara Straub is inspiring because she is an ambassador for Morgan's Message, a non profit organization that amplifies stories, resources and expertise to confront student-athlete mental health. Kara presented this amazing program to her school board and because of her, this program will begin in her school, fall of 2025. Kara maintains a 4.0 GPA and is ranked top 5 in her class. Kara is a 4 year varsity basketball player. She has committed to Trine University in Indiana to play basketball and major in Biomedical Engineering and eventually become a pediatrician.

Photography by Miame Jarrett Photography

You presented Morgan’s Message to your school board—what did you share that moved them to launch the program for Fall 2025?
To move my school board to launch Morgan’s Message for Fall 2025 I shared a slide deck that detailed what Morgan’s Message is, why it was created, how the school board can be involved, and its numerous benefits to the community and the ambassadors involved.
 
What does success look like to you one year in?
To me, success one year in would include successful dedication games to spread outreach to not only my community, but others and being able to pass the thriving program down to someone else after I graduate.

As an ambassador, how do you plan to bring student-athlete mental health conversations from assemblies into everyday team culture and the locker room?
As an ambassador, I plan to bring student-athlete mental health conversations from assemblies into everyday team culture and the locker room by using the skills and resources I have gained from both my personal experiences and Morgan’s Message.

Balancing a 4.0 GPA with four years of varsity basketball is no small feat. Walk us through a “pressure week” playbook—how do you manage time, stress, and recovery?
Although I am very busy, I make sure to create balance in my schedule. I have a color coded calendar that helps me keep track of things I need to do like assignments, practices, and other plans. Managing stress is tricky, but I have found that making sure to use my time wisely and get as much done as possible when working helps relieve a lot of my stress.

What inspiring qualities or accomplishments weren’t highlighted in your nomination?
Not only am I an ambassador for Morgan’s Message, but I have other inspirational qualities as well. I am a leader both on and off the basketball court, always eager to help and encourage others. I am also a part of my school’s leadership program that is very involved in our community, from visiting our local retirement home to hosting Unified basketball games and even being a part of the Big Brother Big Sister program. I am also an official SAT tutor for Schoolhouse.world, and help others prepare for the SAT.

Your school leadership work ranges from retirement-home visits to Unified basketball and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Which experience shifted your perspective the most, and why?
Out of these wonderful opportunities and experiences my leadership class has given me, Unified basketball has shifted my perspective the most. Being given the opportunity to play alongside ? in the sport I love was an absolute blast. It truly shifted my perspective on the impact sports can have. Bringing people together and fostering a sense of community through a sport created a fun and meaningful atmosphere, showing that basketball is truly more than just a game.

Ten years from now, when a young athlete says you inspired them, what do you hope they point to: a game, a conversation, a program you built—or something else entirely?
If a young athlete says I inspired them I would hope they mention the type of teammate I am. I pride myself in my leadership and always hold myself to the highest standard. Through communication, leading by example, empathy, and always cheering my teammates on, I better not only my team, but also myself. As someone who has always been more on the quiet side I have used my leadership skills to help push me out of my shell.

What else would you like to talk about?
I want to mention my long-term aspirations. I have always dreamed of going to college and am very excited for that opportunity. Majoring in biomedical engineering is going to give me a great foundation of skills and knowledge in diverse subjects, thus giving me ample preparation for my ultimate goal of becoming a pediatrician.

You’re headed to Trine University to study Biomedical Engineering on the path to pediatrics. What drew you specifically to Trine—on and off the court?
I was drawn to Trine on and off the court because of their elite basketball and engineering. Trine Women’s Basketball is an elite program with a long lineage of teams competing at the national level. In addition, Trine’s engineering programs are top notch and include state of the art faculty and facilities. Furthermore, it is near home, keeping me close to family which was a big factor in picking a college. After stepping on campus Trine truly felt like home, welcoming coaches and a family atmosphere led me to the decision that it was truly the perfect place for me.

What is your ideal dream job if it were offered to you today?
My ideal dream job is being a pediatrician. It combines my best aspects and what I love all into one career. I am empathetic, patient, creative, driven, and caring. These are all useful skills that will be needed to be a pediatrician. Also, I absolutely love helping others and being around children. Plus, I overall want to improve lives, from the health and wellness of the kids, to giving their parents peace of mind about their child being cared for by the best, and ultimately be a positive influence and role model.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I could talk about basketball forever. I have played as long as I can remember and it has always been a huge part of my life. Throughout my years I have dealt with my fair share of anxiety and lack of confidence due to expectations, pressure and recruiting. These struggles have had profound effects on me both on and off the court and have made me want to be a positive role model for others in the space of student-athlete mental health.

You’ve navigated anxiety and confidence dips around expectations and recruiting. What concrete strategies or routines helped you most, and how would you teach them to a younger athlete?
I’ve navigated my fair share of anxiety and confidence dips around expectations and recruiting, but if I had to go back through my process I would definitely tell myself to take things one step at a time. It is easy to get caught up in comparison with the rise of social media, but you have to remember that your journey is yours and yours only. Focusing on what you can control and prioritizing yourself and your mental health are what have helped me most. Limiting social media to setting aside “recruiting free” time are great ways to do so.

How did you find your photographer and what did you love most about the experience?
My mom was in search of a local photographer who could take my senior pictures. While scrolling through facebook she noticed a post of another girl’s senior pictures that Miame Jarrett had taken.
Personally, my favorite part of working with Miame was that she was not only an amazing photographer, but also very encouraging. She, through conversation, was able to relieve my anxiety about being in front of a camera. As someone who is typically shy, Miami helped grow my confidence exponentially. Through this experience I was able to see myself in a way I never have before.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
I was nominated by my mom. She is truly my best friend, my rock, and someone I can always depend on. Although it seems nearly impossible to pick a single memory of ours out of the countless laughs and cries, my favorite memories have been our numerous car rides. From driving me to hundreds of basketball practices, to our “girls days”, even mundane things like grocery shopping, I will forever cherish every moment with her.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine, not only because I'm personally inspirational, but it would also provide a platform to talk about something I am very passionate about, student athlete mental health and the stigma surrounding it. I am an ambassador for Morgan’s Message, a non-profit organization that amplifies stories, resources and expertise to confront student-athlete mental health. Furthermore, magazines are more known for glitz and glam, but as a student-athlete I want to be a positive role model for younger girls and showcase that you can be athletic but also be a part of something amazing.

If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?
If I win a scholarship, I will be putting the money towards college. I am planning on majoring in biomedical engineering with aspirations of becoming a pediatrician afterwards, so the money would be extremely helpful to use toward college expenses.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?
I would like to thank my parents for always being there for me, believing in me, and supporting me in every way possible, I wouldn’t be who I am without them. Also, I would like to thank my grandparents for always giving me unconditional support. Furthermore, I would like to thank all of the coaches I have had for helping make me into the person I am today.

Look for Kara in issue 94 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!
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click here for more information on issue 94

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