Leading by example

Creston High School senior Quinten Fuller has a lot on his plate. Not only a four-sport athlete, Fuller also holds a leadership position in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and is earning his Eagle Scout title in the Boy Scouts of America.

His determination, leadership and community involvement have cumulated in him being nominated and awarded the Creston Chamber of Commerce’s youth of the year.

Fuller will be honored at the Chamber of Commerce annual meeting 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Eagles Club.

Determination

In her nomination, CHS English teacher Peg Eblen wrote, “When he faces struggles, Quinten digs in and battles to overcome; I have never, ever seen him defeated.”

Wrestling coach Cody Downing agreed. “That’s absolutely how I would describe him,” he said. “He’s got no quit in him.”

After qualifying for the individual state wrestling tournament as a sophomore, Fuller fell short last year in a heartbreaking loss at districts.

“I know I should have made state last year,” Fuller said. “It really sucked that I didn’t, but I still got to go, and I made Max [Chapman] the best he could be as his partner. I know I’m going to make it this year. I’m going to go up and place this year so it doesn’t bother me.”

Downing said that attitude is what they preach all year. “It’s not about you as an individual,” he said. “When you’re out, we have to get the other guys ready to compete. He was there for [Chapman] every step of the way. I never heard him complain. He’s a team player. It’s no surprise he’s getting the award and recognition.”

Fuller said it made sense to support Chapman. “If I would have made it, Max would have helped me even if he didn’t make it,” he explained. “We’ve been pushing each other all year, why stop now? We’re both the reason we’re good.”

Leadership

Fuller joined FBLA because he always thought he was going into the business field. Now, he serves as community service director for the group.

“His enthusiasm and commitment to this organization have allowed him to stand out in comparison to his peers,” assistant FBLA adviser John Reasoner said in his nomination. “Quinten makes an effort to attend the majority of our out-of-school events and always lends a helping hand.”

After creating his first meeting agenda, Fuller brought it excitedly to Reasoner to get feedback. “Quinten’s curiosity and determination to achieve have proved highly valuable to our chapter this school year,” Reasoner said. “I anticipate he will continue to be a valuable asset to our team.

As community service director, Fuller is in charge of facilitating the group’s big community service project. He combined his passion for wrestling with his need to help the community in creating a fundraiser wrestling dual against Indianola, Thursday Dec. 21. The dual will be participated in by both the boys and girls team.

“We’re going to raise money for Sleep in Heavenly Peace,” he explained. “We’ll sell t-shirts, do sponsorships with their names on the back.”

Not only does Fuller hold a leadership position within FBLA, his teachers say he is a natural leader in the classroom.

“Educators appreciate Quinten’s leadership in the classroom. He leads by example demonstrating a solid work ethic and a strong desire to learn,” Eblen said. “He is the young man who shows up and steps up; he never passes up an opportunity to lead or serve.”

Community Service

As a member of the Boy Scouts of America and the United Methodist Church, Fuller has had a lot of opportunities to give back to the community.

“It’s really just been how I was raised to always help others who need help,” Fuller said. “I’ve done mission trips through our church, going places, seeing things. It shows the little things in our community help a lot.”

With sports needing him to stay in the area, their mission trips involve staying at Three Mile Lake and coming into town to help out during the day. “We do different service projects for people,” he explained. “We will paint somebody’s house or cut down trees.”

Fuller said he’s willing to give up his summer for community service because of the joy of seeing people happy after he’s done something for them.

“Whether it is cleaning up the airport grounds after balloon days or setting up tables and chairs for a community event, Quinten invests his time and energy in building ‘community,’” Eblen said.

To earn the title of Eagle Scout, he had to complete a community service project. For this, Fuller created a bocce ball court at McKinley Park.

“In the months leading to this project’s unveiling, Quinten mentioned this project multiple times, passionately and enthusiastically describing his plans and how he hoped it would add a much-needed variety of activities offer to the community by the park,” Reasoner said.

Through the project, Fuller presented a proposal to the Creston Parks and Recreation Board as well as met with other cities to see how they’ve created bocce ball courts.

The plans for his future are still undecided. He wants to go to college, but has yet to decide where or for what.