2018 | Minnesota | BOYS

Lake of the Woods High School | Bears | BOYS

Not long ago our community was rocked by the devastating suicide of one of our players. Nathan and a friend of his didn’t want to go through that experience again. They decided to encourage off season dryland training, weight lifting, and other team building activities. Every day Nathan dedicated himself to getting better, but he was also providing opportunities and encouragement for anyone that wanted to join him. Each day of the school year and two to three times a week during the summer, they would gather to make their team and our community better.

Due to the extra work put in by the team, the team was very successful this year. Nathan had helped design a program that strengthened the team and brought them closer together. He was determined to challenge himself at every practice and therefore he also uplifted each of his teammates. They saw his full-throttled example and tried to replicate it.

As a captain for the past three years, Nathan was our representative to ask questions of the officials. He always handled himself in a professional manner, speaking politely and respectfully. Having played on several different teams during the fall or spring, Nathan knew quite a few opposing players. After most games ended you could find Nathan visiting with a few players from the opposition. It was easy to see that he was well-respected by all that played with him and against him.

Nathan is a leader. As president of the student council he devised homecoming activities that raised the level of school spirit. He created fundraising opportunities to support local and international charities. He has been a member of Students Teaching Uniform Decisions (STUDS) for many years. It is a school group that plans events and activities that encourage teens to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

He has a bright future and will make any team or community better.