New Kids on the Block is a recurring series featuring student-athletes that are new to UTRGV this year to allow everyone to get to know the next generation of Vaqueros.
 
Name: Lea Karren
Sport: Women's Tennis 
 
1. Where are you from?
Pont l'Abbé, Bretagne, France 
 
2. What was it like growing up there?
You feel like you're on vacation all year! It's a really small town. Everybody knows everybody. I grew up with the same people since kindergarten. Also, the beach is 5 minutes away. During the summer, this is where we spend all of our time – morning, afternoon, and evening.
 
3. What is your favorite childhood memory?
My dad is the tennis coach of my club. When I was younger, I used to stay after school, hitting balls at the wall of the club. I never stopped, even if i was exhausted. I wanted to beat the wall.
 
4. What's was your go-to food as a kid? Is it the same now?
I love crepes with Nutella or a classic butter and sugar crepe. The crepes come from my area. This is why all the kids used to and still eat them. 
 
I was an exchange student in texas in 2018 and i discovered Whataburger. I am now an addict.
 
5. What's your favorite color?
Blue 
 
6. What's your favorite book?
How I Play by Kobe Bryant
 
7. What was your favorite tv show as a kid? What about now?
I watched a lot of Disney shows like Hannah Montana, Malcome and Good Luck Charlie 
 
Now i am watching Netflix most of the time, so Outer Banks is probably one of my favorite TV shows right now.
 
8. What's your favorite movie?
The Blind Side or Endless Love 
 
9. What's your favorite song?
So Good by B.O.B.
 
10. Who is your favorite musical artist/group?
Post Malone, Surfaces, Nekfeu
 
11. Who is your favorite celebrity (non-sports)?
Florence Foresti. She is a french humorist 
 
12. If you could have dinner with three people from history, living or dead, who would you choose and why?
Natalie Portman – She stays quite not trying to get the attention of the TV. She is always in the first row for fight against inequality. 
 
Muhammad Ali – Such a great inspiration and so determined even in the hardest times.
 
George Clooney – He is the definition of elegance.
 
13. Other than the sport in which you compete, what is your favorite sport?
Golf or volleyball 
 
14. What is your favorite professional sports team?
Houston Texans
 
15. How did you become a fan of that team?
JJ Watt is my favorite football player and a great image and inspiration for the kids off and on the field.
 
16. Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?
Justine Henin – she is a Belgian tennis player who retired in 2011. Since i started playing tennis, she has been my idol. I dream to play like her and have the technique that she has. She is humble and doesn't show off around the TV. She knows where she came from. When I was younger, I even bought the same racket, hat, and clothes.
 
17. If you weren't competing in your sport, what would you be doing?
I would probably give my time to people helping my community. 
 
18. Why did you choose your sport?
My entire family play tennis. My dad and brother coach, my mom works at our tennis shop, and my other brother is an international umpire. I grww up around balls and rackets.
 
19. What is the biggest challenge of being a student-athlete?
I put a lot of pressure on my shoulders and have fixed goals for these four years. Accomplishing these goals will be my biggest challenge, but I like it. This is the way we play sports – by challenging ourselves.
 
20. When you have free time, what do you like to do?
I like hanging out with my friends, watching Netflix and spending time at the beach. 
 
21. What brought you to UTRGV?
 
The coach – he is passionate about our sport. He wants to share with us his experiences and be succeessful not only in tennis, but also in our lives. Also, the people working for UTRGV are so nice and always here to help others.
 
22. What are your major/minor/planned areas of study?
Marketing
 
23. What do you want to do after you graduate?
If I do well in tennis during my four years, I want to try to play professionally. I also love the idea of coaching. Or i want to work for companies like the NFL, MLS, MLB, and NBA. 
 
24. What's your dream job?
Being a professional tennis player 
 
25. Who is the biggest inspiration in your life and why?
Kobe Bryant is probably one of my biggest inspirations. I see myself in his mentality – working hard and more than the people around you is what i am trying to do. Hopefully one day it will pay off.
 
26. What is something most people don't know about you?
I would love to do humanitarian missions around the world and help to build school and houses, donate food, and teach people how to write and speak English. 
 
27. Which new kids on the block song best describes you?
A. Games
B. Hangin' tough
C. Step by step
D. You got it
E. Other __________________
 
28. Now be honest, had you ever previously heard of any of those songs or the band new kids on the block before?
Never –  but i think I will like games as I am a really competitive person and I hate losing.
 
29. Is there anything else you want everyone to know about you?
I love Whataburger. I always order the number 13.

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