By Taylor Shillam
Photo by Lesieli Maile
Jacob King, Senior
Coeur d’Alene High School
"I love representing my school in the things that I do,” says Jacob King, Coeur d’Alene High School senior. For Jacob, that includes cross country, track and field, Scholastics, Mathletes, National Honor Society, and Sources of Strength.
Jacob takes pride in the success and team camaraderie he's experienced as a cross-country athlete. “In just my senior season, I helped our team go undefeated through eight races, including the Nike Cross Regionals Northwest to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, where we placed 11th as a team—the only race where we didn't bring home the boys team title this season,” he says.
Of his team, he says, "We fight for each other. This season was made possible because of our dedication for one another and our collective goals. It has been a special thing to be on this team, and I enjoy every part of it, and the love I have for my fellow brothers on the team is what makes it so especially amazing to me."
Academically, Jacob is near the top of his class with an unweighted 4.0 GPA and weighted GPA of close to 4.5. He competed on the Varsity 1 Scholastics team and has represented successful CHS teams in various math competitions.
"I don't merely aim for success because I want to be successful, but because I want those around me—my peers, classmates and teammates—to be successful with me," he says.
After graduation, Jacob plans to serve a two-year mission for his church. “I am excited for this opportunity and set on giving up my time to serve because I know it will bless my life,” he says. Following the mission, Jacob plans to attend college and wants to continue pursuing his passion for running.
While he's still deciding on his college of choice, Jacob’s career interests lie in the medical field and accounting. “These careers interest me because I find the way the body works fascinating, and I enjoy helping people through difficult things.”
Jacob says balance has been one of his biggest challenges as a student-athlete and active member of his church. He credits his parents for helping him be able to do it all. "My parents make a lot of my life possible,” he says. “I am grateful for them because they help me take care of myself. I have also found comfort in taking breaks from my busy schedule to have fun with friends and family."
Above all, high school has taught Jacob that life will always work out. “Through every hardship, there has always been a light at the end of the tunnel, a peak of the mountain, and an end to the struggle,” he says. “When I have been stressed, overwhelmed and hopeless, there has always been something to lift me up,” through injuries, academic setbacks, changing friendships, and other difficult circumstances.
"No matter how hard the circumstance or how low I have felt at times, I have always gotten back up, I have always ended in a better spot, and I have always been blessed."