Rear View: From high school into college, Kreuz was involved in an abusive relationship. What started as a normal courtship had turned into regular arguments that sometimes got physical. It resulted in a fellow student calling campus security. “I thought that was just what we did — that we hated each other as much as we thought we loved each other and that was normal. But having that instance where it wasn’t just personal, someone else saw something wrong, really opened my eyes.”
Getting Help: After that turbulent relationship, Kreuz didn’t feel like herself. She was snapping at friends, quit the track team and felt stuck. She sought help in an anonymous support group through the Cleveland Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center. “It was there that I learned that it wasn’t my fault and that I had no control over his actions. That’s what lit the fire to start Love Doesn’t Shove.”
Spread Love: Now, Kreuz travels across Ohio representing Love Doesn’t Shove and teaches students in middle school, high school and college how to recognize abusive behavior in their lives and others’, how to reach out about abuse and more. “If I had known what I’m teaching these kids, that relationship would have played out differently.”
Batter’s Up: After graduating from John Carroll University with a bachelor’s in communications, Kreuz went to Syracuse University and earned a master’s in broadcast and digital journalism. Out of school with no job, she auditioned to be the in-game host of the Cleveland Indians. “When they told me I got the job, I couldn’t believe it. I had never spoken in front of people like that. It made me nervous. But they told me they didn’t see that when I was speaking, so I was hired.”
World Stage: Starting her new job in 2016, Kreuz was faced with World Series pressure. It wasn’t just Clevelanders watching her anymore. There were international crowds and national TV stations there now. “I was sweating bullets the whole time — such a rookie. But it ended up being such a cool experience, because you just had to fly even if you weren’t ready. And that showed me that I can handle pretty much anything.”
Be Frank: The Indians have become famous for their hot dog mascot races. Every game Ketchup, Mustard and Onion face off in a race that can sometimes be a bit messy. But Kreuz admits to having a favorite. “I like Mustard. He has a lot of personality and he’s always picking on Andre Knott and I think he really takes the charge on the Tribe Hot Dogs Twitter account — he’s just funny.”
On Beat: Kreuz also started taking her singing more seriously after college. She went to a vocal coach to train her voice and started writing songs based on her experiences. She released her first song “My World” on iTunes 2017 and “Light as a Feather” last year. “It started as just learning more about my voice, but now it is more of a creative outlet. It’s a great outlet to write something that pumps you up or just sums up how you’re feeling.”
Interesting Fact: Kreuz was a NCAA Division III All-American in cross-country.
