Getting to Know the Farmers Union Insurance/NDHSAA Distinguished Student - Ben Hanson

Editorial note: We will be publishing a series of articles on getting to know this year’s distinguished student finalists.
 
Benjamin Hanson from Jamestown High School is this year’s (2015-16) NDHSAA/Farmers Union Insurance Distinguished Student finalist. Ben is the son of Diane and Kim Hanson and the brother of Zachary.  Ben is eighteen years old and enjoys Boy Scouts where he is an assistant patrol leader and historian and has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.  He also enjoys video games, hunting, ice fishing, biking and hiking.  Ben has hiked the highest points in 11 states.
            
While attending Jamestown, Ben has selected science as his favorite subject.  He is very involved with extracurricular activities participating in football, basketball, track, student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and honor society.  With Ben’s busy schedule he still finds time to give back to his community.  These activities include: mission work in the Dominican Republic, Meals on Wheels, church greeter, blood donor and volunteer football coach.
            
Upon graduation, Ben plans to attend either the South Dakota School of Mines or the University of Minnesota to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering.   In 10 years Ben wants to have a career in biomedical engineering where he can be involved in “disease prevention and treatment, stem cell research and prosthetics development. I cannot think of a more rewarding and enjoyable career than to develop medical innovations that can improve or save people’s lives.”
            
When asked, “What is the first thing you would do if you were elected President?”  Ben’s response was to thank everyone that supported him and thank his family for all the support.
            
Outside of his family, Ben admires his Aunt Nancy because, “despite going through hard times, including the death of my uncle from ALS, she remains upbeat and joyful”.
            
Ben points out that listening to others and knowing when to step back and let them lead is an important characteristic of a good leader.
            
We asked Ben several unique questions to get to know him better.  He stated his pet peeve is poor drivers.  His perfect vacation would be a to a coastal tropical country with tours through the jungle and surfing lessons.  He could not go a day without his cell phone and his favorite holiday is Christmas because he likes getting to see his relatives and sharing gifts with them.  His response to the question of whom he would like to have a meal with living or dead included the following: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.  He would like to discuss what they thought about their legacies and what they may have done differently.  Ben’s favorite family tradition is Thanksgiving at grandma’s house in the Black Hills. Any finally, if we made a movie of his life, Brad Pitt would play the role of Ben because the ladies love him.    
            
Congratulations to Ben Hanson, this year’s NDHSAA/Farmer Union Insurance Distinguished Student finalist and best of luck in his future endeavors.