Bensalem’s Madison Kubik was the recipient of KSA Event’s $2,500 scholarship for field hockey. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Madison Kubik had quite a surprise when she unsuspectingly walked into Bensalem’s gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
“We were supposed to have a meeting,” said the recent Bensalem graduate, who arrived with her entire family in tow. “Just outside (walking in) they told me they were going to build an indoor facility for field hockey. I was kind of confused.”
Kubik’s confusion turned to joy when she was walked into the gym and was handed a larger-than-life check for $2,500 by Ashley Judge on behalf of KSA Events. The fact that there will be no indoor hockey facility or even a discussion about it – coach Amanda Tu’s premise for bringing the Kubik family to Bensalem – was just fine with Madison.
It turns out Kubik – who had already received the $250 book scholarship awarded by KSA Events – had written the winning essay for field hockey and was the recipient of KSA Events’ $2,500 scholarship.
“Kelly Hayes started the company 25 years ago, and her main plan is to give back as much as possible to the student-athlete,” said Thom Chamberlain, a representative of KSA Events who along with Judge made the trip from Florida for the presentation. “We have a scholarship fund, and for every team that travels (to Orlando for an event), a graduating senior is nominated for the book scholarship, and then we ask them to write an essay, and we choose an essay. As a company, we’re trying to encourage continued education. This is by far the best part of the job.
“Outside of this, when the teams travel, we get so many kids that haven’t been on a plane before, and they’re going down to Disney for the first time. To be able to travel and get the experience of playing against teams from across the country representing their city back home – it’s actually pretty neat.”
Last fall Kubik and her Owl field hockey teammates traveled to Disney World to compete in a KSA Tournament. Tuesday’s presentation capped a remarkable journey for the recent Bensalem graduate.
“I needed the money for school, so I thought it would be a good idea,” said Kubik of writing an essay offering advice and sharing reflections to her freshman self. “I told myself – field hockey helped me become more confident in the field and in school.
“I was able to make more friends throughout high school than I thought I would. I told myself to push myself harder because I knew I could do different things as I grew and learned about myself.”
The essay was probably the last thing on Kubik’s mind when she entered the gym with her mother and father, Michelle and Gary Kubik, and younger sisters Morgan, a rising sophomore at Bensalem, and Mackenzie.
“Outside (coach Tu) even said, ‘If you haven’t heard anything by now, probably someone else has won,’” said Kubik, who will continue her hockey career at Elizabethtown College. “When I saw it, I was pretty excited. I wasn’t expecting it. This is going to help a lot.”
Also in attendance were coach Amanda Tu, Athletic Director/Assistant Principal Geoff Per, Principal William Ferrara and Superintendent Dr. Sam Lee.
“I think it’s great, and it’s great for a Bensalem field hockey player to receive this award, especially since we’re in such a tough competitive league,” Tu said. “Sometimes we get looked past.”
Madison Kubik – Elizabethtown College (Field Hockey)
Major: Early Childhood Education
Final list of colleges: Elizabethtown, Arcadia
What was the progression that led you to competing in field hockey at the collegiate level? “I was kind of on the edge of not playing, but my parents and coaches (encouraged) me to keep playing.
I wasn’t as confident in myself because I played against people that were really good and were already committed to D-1 schools, but then we had a practice where our coaches asked us what we were planning on doing in college. I said I wasn’t sure, and that’s when they told me I really should play.”
Coach Amanda Tu: “Madison a great player and a great person. She’s going to do exceptionally well in college. She listens to everything and takes constructive criticism very well and is able to practice and implement that.”
About Madison
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: Yours, Mine and Ours
Favorite music: Alternative
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