Stillwater grad honored for modeling leadership

Caleb Fetveit is described by Stillwater Christian School Head of School Jeremy Marsh as a kind and compassionate student who “seeks excellence in all areas of his life,” and models servant leadership.

Marsh nominated Fetveit, a recent Stillwater graduate, who was selected as a Today’s Achievers, Tomorrow’s Leaders honoree. The program recognizes the academic achievement and community involvement of high school students who contribute to improving the lives of others. Kalispell Regional Healthcare sponsors the award in collaboration with the Daily Inter Lake. In addition to the recognition, honorees choose a school club or activity to receive a $250 donation. Fetveit plans to donate the money to give to the art department at Stillwater.

“I began developing a passion for art and design during high school,” Fetveit said, noting art teacher Barbara Beckwith “helped me a lot through high school.”

Art also ties into his plans to major in architecture at the University of Arizona in the fall.

“I knew I wanted to do something with engineering and I knew wanted to be creative,” he said.

Academically, Fetveit graduated from high school with an unweighted 4.0 grade point average and Marsh noted in his nomination letter Fetveit’s high SAT score. Fetveit achieved a 1,530 out of maximum possible score of 1,600 on the college entrance exam. With a talent for academics, staying motivated was key. He did this by studying with friends or thinking to the future.

“Thinking about what I’m working toward helped me get into this mindset,” Fetveit said.

Serving his community, whether school, church or hometown, became a large part of his life in high school.

“The first time I actively engaged in community service was the summer after sophomore year, I believe,” Fetveit said, when he was in charge of Lucky, the decoy police car parked in Lakeside and Somers to deter speeding, for the past two summers. “I was the person who would wake up every morning, drive him to a spot in Lakeside and walk about a mile back home. At night I’d walk down or take my scooter and drive Lucky back to our house so there was no vandalism.”

He would also make sure the decoy car was kept clean and would drive Lucky in parades. This summer he passed the decoy duties on as he prepares to leave for college.

In past years he also enjoyed volunteering with the West Shore Visitors Bureau in Lakeside, taking tickets and assisting with parking during local concerts, in addition to setting up or judging the Lakeside Community Fair watermelon eating contests.

In high school, he was a student council member for three years, serving as vice president his junior year. He said student council gave him his first “real” role planning an event with others.

“Our first major activity was planning a high school retreat at a summer camp type of place for a couple of days,” he said. “It was great to see an idea from start to finish and then it was really rewarding to be involved in every part. It sparked an interest.”

He continued on as a house captain once the school’s student government switched to a house system. House captains are selected to mentor groups of about 30 sixth- through 12th-graders.

Fetveit said the house captains were there to help students connect through various competitions and events.

“We were trying to create an environment foster a good community,” he said.

For three years he served as the varsity soccer team manager. During his senior year he also was the men’s basketball team manager. He was also a lead trumpet player in the jazz band and wind ensemble.

As a National Honor Society member, Fetveit expanded his community service to picking up trash on Willow Glen Road; assisting with a science, technology, engineering and math night; helping with Operation Christmas Child packages; and babysat for families during school events, something he also did at his church.

“He is a role model for all of the students at Stillwater,” Marsh said in his nomination letter.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.