From choir to the basketball court to the baseball field, Josh Hanson is simply a well-rounded student. The senior at Maranatha Christian Academy has certainly made the most of his high school career.
"It's hard to think about leaving this great place," he said of Maranatha, "but I know that there are good things in store for me in the future as well."
Polite and mature, Josh seems to garner a lot of respect in school and in sports. He was a leader on Maranatha's basketball team this winter and is now a captain of the baseball team.
"Josh is a tremendous leader," said his baseball coach, Paul Obinger. "He's got a real easygoing attitude about him, but he knows when he needs to step up and keep the other guys in line especially on the baseball team."
As a known athlete, good student and member of the National Honors Society, Josh is a strong role model – especially for the younger students.
"When they see him and interact with him, you know, it's a big deal for them," Obinger said of the younger students that look up to Josh, "but he just loves them. He just loves them. He never puts them off. He's always encouraging to them and he just understands them."
That might have something to do with the fact that Josh comes from a family of 10 children. He enjoys children so much, in fact, Josh is considering a future in education. But first he's taking in all that his last semester of high school can offer.
"I've enjoyed it a lot. I wish I had more time," he said. "So I'm just trying to cherish every day I have with the friends I've made here and just look back on it as a positive and move forward."
Jennifer Anderson reporting
janderson@twelve.tv
April 15, 2010