Where Are They Now -- Aaron Leonard

Leonard graduated from EHS in 2004 and went on to play basketball at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

"I started playing sports at the Effingham Park District and continued there until I was able to participate in school sports," said Leonard. "In high school I participated in basketball and track for four years and football for three years."

Leonard received numerous awards from EHS but the two that were among the top ones are, being named Most Outstanding Player of the 2003 Charleston Holiday Tournament and being elected into the Effingham High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

"I am not sure I can think of a specific memory of a game that stands out," said Leoanrd. "Probably the favorite memory I have from high school sports was the summer basketball season between my junior and senior years. We had a group of guys that were so talented that when things clicked, we were really hard to beat. I really enjoyed my time with that group.

"A memory of my college days was the last game I played in the Sweet Sixteen of the NAIA National Championship. I played well and it was a nice way to leave competitive sports."

Leonard majored in Psychology and Criminal Justice at UIS and then attended law school at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

"I wish I had a more inspiring reason for my career path, but at the time, I just wanted to make sure I was able to find a good job after completing my education," said Leonard. "Once I got into my career, i realized I made the right decision. I really enjoy my career and the people I get to work with every day. I primarily handle estate planning, estate and trust administrations and transactional work involving businesses and real estate."

Leonard married wife Jennifer in 2018.

"The practical answer I would give athletes to help them further their high school career into college is lift weights," said Leonard. "Be in great shape and take your school work seriously. But the reality is that unless you are truly gifted, you are not going to make a career out of playing sports.

"You can learn a lot of positive life lessons from high school team sports. So, if a kid asked my advice, I would tell them if you sign up, you have an obligation to take it seriously and push yourself to do your absolute best, but those obligations do not mean you should not enjoy it."

Leonard, who enjoys playing and watching golf now, finished with what athletics meant to him during his playing days.

"Looking back it meant creating a lot of the close friendships I still have today," said Leonard. "It also meant learning life lessions with less severe consequences. I had a tendency to learn things the hard way, so I was lucky the consequences of learning these lessons were not too extreme."