Helping out, making it easier for others
The outcome of the Prairie Pig rivalry could have more significance than ownership of a green-and-orange pig trophy this year. The annual competition between Post Falls and Lakeland high schools could make a difference in the lives of the least fortunate children in the community.
Senior Josh Wuest persuaded his leadership class to donate money to Children’s Village in Coeur d’Alene, which is a nonprofit home and school dedicated to helping neglected, homeless and troubled children. The two high schools try to out-shine one another in the school spirit and pride contest by raising money for the charity of their choice.
It wasn’t difficult for Wuest, the Lakeland student council treasurer, to make an argument for the children’s home as a worthy recipient. Wuest has been catching glimpses of the kids who live at “the village” for as long as he can remember. His mother, Dena, works in the administrative office and began recruiting her three sons for projects as soon as they were old enough to follow instructions.
Josh Wuest’s earliest memories of Children’s Village are of pulling weeds in the gardens. As he grew, so did his duties.
“I don’t even count the hours I do,” he said.
He’s mowed lawns, assembled furniture, fixed fences and carried heavy objects to the annual auction. He helped his two older brothers with Eagle Scout projects, which included constructing a volleyball court and building a shed on Children’s Village grounds.
“He’s pretty much done everything I’ve ever asked him to do,” Dena Wuest said.
Confidentiality issues keep Wuest from mingling with the kids, but he sees them as he is working and thinks about his own good fortune in having a stable family home.
“I just want to do the most I can to help them out, and make it easier for everyone that works there and lives there,” he said.
The Lakeland student council listened to Wuest’s presentation about Children’s Village and selected it over six other proposed charities. Student council adviser Colleen Hall said that the council liked that this would benefit children, and particularly local children. Hall was Wuest’s speech teacher last year and said that he is a wonderful student.
“He’s a good example for his peers. He’s very mature, and he just makes very good decisions,” she said.
The Prairie Pig competition tallies points for various contests, along with the fund-raising efforts. Lakeland High School won the pig last year and awarded $3,500 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“All of our students are very generous and Josh reflects this,” Hall said. “He’s very giving. He’s a strong leader, but he doesn’t do it in an aggressive manner.”
Wuest belongs to the National Honor Society and Renaissance, a recognition program for students with a grade-point average above 3.3. As an Eagle Scout, he was responsible for upgrading trails and rebuilding a boat access at Mowry State Park on Lake Coeur d’Alene. He is dual-enrolled at North Idaho College and hopes for a career in civil engineering or physical therapy. Last year he was captain of his football team, but never too busy to offer to shovel driveways or rake leaves for elderly neighbors.
“It’s better to be helping someone else than to be thinking about yourself,” he said.
At the Jan. 12 Prairie Pig basketball game, Wuest will have the honor of awarding a check to Children’s Village, and perhaps bringing home the pig trophy to Lakeland for another year. Let the games begin.