By Bradley Merk ‘14
Joe Kollin ‘14 is the premiere example of a Hybrid for this edition of the Eye. Joe has consistently stood out in the Saint Ignatius community for both his artistic and athletic capabilities. Whether he is out on the Cuyahoga River rowing with crew or drawing with graphite in Studio Art, Joe is building character through his variety of interests.
As a senior, Joe has been a member of the Wildcats Rowing Team team for four years, taking part in both fall and spring crew. “I have recently come to realize the monumental impact of the sport on my own character,” he says. Rowing is a very collaborative sport. “[It] requires that you have faith in the rowers in your boat to perform to the best of their ability.” Joe believes this reliance on others has been a good experience for him. “Crew has taught me the importance of trusting another person and working to not let another team member down.”
Joe has not allowed his rigorous athletic schedule to get in the way of his artistic talents. He has always had a keen interest in drawing and he has even recently begun learning to play the piano and guitar. If he could pinpoint his interest in the arts back in time, he would probably refer to middle school. “Back in 7th and 8th grade I drew comics for the school newspaper, [and] animated some short films.” More recently he has entered some art into the National Art and Writing Competition.
“And of course I use the talents to show off for the girls.”
Regarding the athletic and artistic division at Saint Ignatius, Joe believes, “arts and athletics can be intertwined more here.” He notices how there is more emphasis on athletics. “I do not think that the arts should be superseded,” he explains.
Joe is optimistic about the future. “The link between the two interests has become stronger and that’s refreshing to see,” he says, citing the Poster Cats and the Marching Band as, “great ways to combine arts and athletics at student events and give the arts more recognition.”
“I think that this separation between the two interests can be eliminated.”
Joe hopes his athletic and artistic interests continue to make him a Hybrid as he prepares to leave Saint Ignatius this June.
