Smith chosen as October senior
Perkins County senior Gavin Smith has been chosen as Senior of the Month for October.
He is the son of Ashlee and Kelly Smith of Grant.
Gavin has made the most of his high school years through academics and extracurricular activities as well as involvement in the community.
Gavin has participated in speech, FFA, mock trial, NHS, student government, student council, one-acts, musicals, Quiz Bowl and marching and pep bands.
He has devoted a lot of time to extracurricular activities and treasures the memories of time spent with students and sponsors.
“While academics are extremely important, extracurriculars offer experiences that aren’t available in the classroom,” Gavin said. “Perkins County Jr./Sr. High has excellent activities for students to participate in, and they have been the highlight of my academic career. I’ve made great memories, found friendships and learned crucial life skills that will help me in the future.”
Winning the state championship in persuasive speaking was a source of pride for Gavin, having to overcome a fear of speaking in public, through two years of constant practice and focusing on doing his best.
“To me, winning the state competition represented more than a shiny gold medal,” he said. “It represented the shifting of fear to opportunity.”
Outside of school, he has attended the University of Chicago Rural Leaders II scholarship program and has been active in the United Methodist Church in youth group.
He has held jobs at Hatch’s Super Foods and Subway in Grant, and feels that through these experiences he has gained valuable customer service skills.
Gavin believes in giving back to the community that has supported him throughout his life, and has volunteered over 100 hours in the county, a favorite being helping at Meadowlark Gallery in Grant. He has also helped with live-streaming services at church, mowing and landscaping and 4-H bingo.
“These experiences have given me new insights into society,” he said. “To me, a community can’t thrive without its members’ participation. Volunteering isn’t something commendable—I see it as my duty to the place that raised me.”
After high school, Gavin plans to attend a four-year university and major in political science and/or public policy, eventually becoming a policy-maker or legislative aide for Congress.