THE SPOTLIGHT

As the Student Body president at Sandpoint High School, senior Alex Manning is involved in many of the extracurricular events and activities taking place at the school.

In all the roles and responsibilities that he has assumed over the course of his high school career, Alex is driven by his strong faith and desire to serve others.

“Being in leadership is one of the greatest honors someone could have,” Alex explained. “I love being a servant first and remembering that I’m doing things for others and not for myself—serving on the [student] council as the president is the most incredible honor.”

Alex grew up in Sandpoint and spent the entirety of his academic years in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. He credits many of his teachers and mentors throughout the years as being big influences in his life.

“In every one of my grades, God has brought people into my life who have helped and shaped the kind of person [God] has created me to be,” Alex said. “My parents and grandparents have been a major influence in my life, but so have many teachers, coaches, managers and friends. Above all, my growth has been most influenced by Jesus Christ and my faith in the freedom that He offers all of us.”

When Alex is not leading a student council meeting or running events like the recent “Battle for the Paddle” spirit competition, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling to see new places, trying new foods, and meeting people. During the summer, Alex enjoys working for Festival at Sandpoint, and last year he had the opportunity to be a site manager for the event, which gave him many valuable experiences.

Alex also loves the beauty of North Idaho and appreciates the local government and school leaders that make Sandpoint what it is.

“I love living in Idaho, as I highlight to many of my friends and family,” Alex said. “We live in one of the most extraordinary states in this union.”

After graduation, Alex plans to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he will study government politics and policy.

He hopes to work in local or state government one day and potentially return to Bonner County eventually to serve many of the people who have invested so much in him.

“[The Sandpoint community] poured so much into my life,” Alex exclaimed. “And I pray that one day [this community] will give me the privilege of serving and working for [it] from our local government to the state level.”