Spotlight

Year: Junior
Major: Music and Catholic Studies
Hometown: Rochester, MN
High School: Hubka Homeschool

Organizations or activities: Member of the Liturgical Choir for the past 2 years (soprano section leader last year); Played with the UST Guitar Ensemble/Small Guitar Ensemble for the past two years; Rang with the UST Handbell Choir for the past 1 ½ years; Cantor at Masses both at St. Thomas and home parish; Play guitar at churches, hospitals, nursing homes, and various community events; Active in Words Players, a Rochester area theatre troupe. I am also a Guardian for Eucharistic Adoration and an Aquinas Scholar.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I like to spend time with my family, organize things, listen to music, cook, read

Anticipated career after college: Suzuki guitar teacher; Founder of a non-profit that organizes musicians to play at hospitals, nursing homes, homeless shelters, etc.; Part-time job at a Catholic church. I hope to attend graduate school for Guitar Performance. I am looking at Yale, Manhattan School of Music, University of Southern California, Peabody and Julliard.

Why did you come to UST?
I knew I wanted to attend a Catholic college that was close to home. I also planned to study guitar and Catholicism. At St. Thomas, I really liked the fact that there was a Catholic Studies program, rather than a broader Religious Studies department. The Catholic Studies program also appeared well-rounded and vibrant. As for the guitar aspect, St. Thomas had a larger guitar program than any of the other schools I had looked into. When I visited, I really enjoyed having a lesson with the head of the guitar program, and I knew he would be an awesome teacher for four years. With these two strong programs, it was clear that St. Thomas would be a great fit for me.

What does it mean to you to be selected as an Aquinas Fellow?
I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been chosen as an Aquinas Fellow. It has further increased my awareness of having a specific call from God. The concept of “vocation” is often hidden in our secular and money-seeking culture, but this fellowship has strengthened my belief that I, and everyone else, have an individual, God-given vocation.

What has been your most valuable experience at UST?
The relationships I have been able to build with my professors have been one of the highlights of my time at St. Thomas. I am especially grateful to all of the faculty in the music department who have been so supportive and have helped me grow academically, musically, and as a person.

How will being an Aquinas Fellow help you discern and work towards your vocation?
As an Aquinas Fellow, I feel that I am not alone in discerning and living out my vocation. I know that there are many people who recognize vocation as a central aspect of life who are there to support me. Being an Aquinas Fellow will also give me confidence in following God’s call, especially when it may not be easy or widely accepted.

What advice would you give a student about discerning their vocation?
I think the first step in discerning your vocation is to take an inventory of your gifts and talents. God blesses each individual with unique strengths, and this is our palette with which to work. However, people have multiple gifts—but that doesn’t mean we have a vocation in each area! I believe that the only way to be truly happy is by doing God’s will. I would encourage others to pray that God puts his desires for you in your heart. Listen closely to the desires he plants there and follow them—amazing things will happen!

Aquinas Fellowship Recipients
VIEW OTHER SPOTLIGHTS	Leandra Hubka Aquinas Fellow
	Year: Junior Major: Music and Catholic Studies Hometown: Rochester, MN High School: Hubka Homeschool Organizations or activities: Member of the Liturgical Choir for the past 2 years (soprano section leader last year); Played with the UST Guitar Ensemble/Small Guitar Ensemble for the past two years; Rang with the UST Handbell Choir for the past 1 ½ years; Cantor at Masses both at St. Thomas and home parish; Play guitar at churches, hospitals, nursing homes, and various community events; Active in Words Players, a Rochester area theatre troupe. I am also a Guardian for Eucharistic Adoration and an Aquinas Scholar. What do you like to do in your spare time? I like to spend time with my family, organize things, listen to music, cook, read Anticipated career after college: Suzuki guitar teacher; Founder of a non-profit that organizes musicians to play at hospitals, nursing homes, homeless shelters, etc.; Part-time job at a Catholic church. I hope to attend graduate school for Guitar Performance. I am looking at Yale, Manhattan School of Music, University of Southern California, Peabody and Julliard. Why did you come to UST? I knew I wanted to attend a Catholic college that was close to home. I also planned to study guitar and Catholicism. At St. Thomas, I really liked the fact that there was a Catholic Studies program, rather than a broader Religious Studies department. The Catholic Studies program also appeared well-rounded and vibrant. As for the guitar aspect, St. Thomas had a larger guitar program than any of the other schools I had looked into. When I visited, I really enjoyed having a lesson with the head of the guitar program, and I knew he would be an awesome teacher for four years. With these two strong programs, it was clear that St. Thomas would be a great fit for me. What does it mean to you to be selected as an Aquinas Fellow? I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been chosen as an Aquinas Fellow. It has further increased my awareness of having a specific call from God. The concept of “vocation” is often hidden in our secular and money-seeking culture, but this fellowship has strengthened my belief that I, and everyone else, have an individual, God-given vocation. What has been your most valuable experience at UST? The relationships I have been able to build with my professors have been one of the highlights of my time at St. Thomas. I am especially grateful to all of the faculty in the music department who have been so supportive and have helped me grow academically, musically, and as a person. How will being an Aquinas Fellow help you discern and work towards your vocation? As an Aquinas Fellow, I feel that I am not alone in discerning and living out my vocation. I know that there are many people who recognize vocation as a central aspect of life who are there to support me. Being an Aquinas Fellow will also give me confidence in following God’s call, especially when it may not be easy or widely accepted. What advice would you give a student about discerning their vocation? I think the first step in discerning your vocation is to take an inventory of your gifts and talents. God blesses each individual with unique strengths, and this is our palette with which to work. However, people have multiple gifts—but that doesn’t mean we have a vocation in each area! I believe that the only way to be truly happy is by doing God’s will. I would encourage others to pray that God puts his desires for you in your heart. Listen closely to the desires he plants there and follow them—amazing things will happen!