|
|||||||||||||
Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Daniel King soars to win scholarship contest
Being named the 2009 Times-Democrat Fauquier Future Leader was not an easy accomplishment.Twenty-four local students were judged on a diverse range of activities — art, sports, community service, academics, agriculture, employment and entrepreneurship, leadership, and overcoming challenges.
Three judges, selected from the community, carefully reviewed and blindly assessed each student's nomination. Simply, the student with the most points won.
We're pleased to announce that this year's winner is Daniel Allen King, a senior at Fresta Valley Christian School.
Words seem to come easily for King. He has won the Warrenton Rotary Club speech contest for the last two years, both times later placing in the state's district competition.
For two years, he also competed in Original Oratory and Impromptu speaking events in the Shenandoah Valley National Forensics League, earning him winning recognitions in regional competitions.
The son of Ron and Diane King, his talents also include playing the guitar during his school's weekly chapel services and working as a light, sound and set technician for Fresta Valley's two drama productions each year.
King has been a team member and leader of Fresta Valley FIRST Robotics team for four years, in which students design and construct a robot for regional competition.
His leadership abilities have been recognized more than once.
As a freshman, he was named as Warrenton Ruritan Club Outstanding Student of the Month. He received his own school's citizenship award last year and was also awarded the Distinguished Christian High School Student Award for Leadership by the Association of Christian Schools International.
Last summer, King represented his school at The American Legion's Virginia's Boys State leadership program where he was elected to the House of Representatives and served as city athletic director.
The FVCS student also enjoys baseball and basketball, but his favorite sport activity is playing soccer as a goalkeeper. Playing in many regional and state tournament championships, King has earned several individual awards for sportsmanship, most improved player and most valued player.
In 2008 he participated in the Shenandoah Labor Day Classic All Tournament Team, VACA North All Regional First Team, VACA North All District Team, VACA All State Team and VACA All State 1st Team.
It's not all play, however. King has worked on farms for the last four years, clipping goats, raking and bailing hay and building fencing for livestock. He has spent summers working maintenance jobs by mowing grass, painting walls and building shelves. He has also served as a plumbing apprentice to a master plumber, assisting with appliance installations and well connections.
While he stays busy on the ground, he seems to like being on a higher plane. Having grown up in a family that loves flying, King has been exposed to various aspects of aviation, from participating as a ground crew member at the Flying Circus Aerodome to recently receiving his FAA private hot-air balloon license.
“Ballooning is a unique way of flying, and I am fortunate that my uncle is a certified instructor and examiner,” King said.
Already a member of the Air Force Reserves, the senior will enter basic military training this summer after high school graduation. He will ship out July 7 for basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. Afterward, he will attend tech school to become an in-flight refueling boom operator on a KC-135 supertanker.
"Since I'll be stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, I hope to attend George Mason University while fulfilling my commitment to the Air Force Reserves. After college graduation, I dream of becoming an Air Force fighter pilot, following in the footsteps of my father and grandfather who were both military pilots," he said.
As an airman, King said he wants "to maintain our national dream of a safe and secure homeland."
King sees his "favorite dream" of ballooning as filling a special service, as well.
"The most meaningful ballooning event that I have been involved in was when I was a part of the 9/11 commemorative ceremonies in Winchester last September," he said.
"There were four balloons —each representing one of the four planes that went down that day in 2001. Our balloon represented United Airlines flight 93. For my uncle, this was extra significant because he is a retired United Airlines pilot,” King said.
"Balloon flights have been taken to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, to make marriage proposals, or to simply, fulfill a life-long dream of flight. To be so instrumental in helping make others' dreams real, will be my dream come true."
King started early in giving community service, following the lead of his parents. As a toddler he helped with the Jaycees Christmas Toy workshop and gathered canned goods for the local food bank.
"My parents have been involved with service organizations throughout most of my childhood. I witnessed their efforts to bring projects that seemed impossible to reality, " said the 18 year old. He found that through his own volunteer efforts that such service makes "dreams real for those less fortunate."
He has worked on Habitat for Humanity projects and repaired
structures devastated by Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi.
King has also worked closer to home with his involvement with Teens Opposing Poverty. The organization helps the homeless in cities within the region by handing out clothes and food while offering fellowship.
Looking back on his accomplishments and looking forward to his future, King said, "...my dreams must do more than only enhance my life. They must also benefit and bless the lives of others."
You must be logged in to post a comment.