JEFF FIELDER Editor
KIMBALL – Beau Hanks, a senior at Kimball High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Student of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank. He participates in football, basketball, track & field, Interact Club, and student council. He has a 3.7 GPA. His parents are Mo and Kristy Hanks.
Q: Among the activities you’re involved in, which one do you enjoy the most?
HANKS: “Basketball, definitely. I’ve loved basketball since I started playing in fourth grade. I’ve been playing basketball every year since then. I hope to play basketball in college. That’s my goal, but we’ll see what the future holds.”
Q: What position do you play?
HANKS: “In high school I’m more of a center/power forward.”
Q: How’s the basketball season going for the Kimball boys?
HANKS: “It’s going good this year. We’re currently 7-5. We’re having a much better season than previous years.”
Q: How many years have you been starting?
HANKS: “I’ve been starting since my sophomore year.”
Q: What is your favorite non-sports activity?
HANKS: “I really do like helping out with Interact. I enjoy doing the Purple Pinkie Project fundraiser and the food baskets around the holidays. I just enjoy helping other people out.”
Q: How much do you enjoy being part of student council?
HANKS: “It’s fun. We’ll help out with the dances, like setting things up for the Homecoming dance, and other projects. We’ll start getting things organized soon for prom.”
Q: You mentioned that you like to help people. Is that something you’re kind of passionate about?
HANKS: “In a way, it is, yes. I just like being able to help people. It makes you feel good on the inside, knowing that you helped someone. My parents always taught me to be involved and to be active. My dad is the head of Interact currently. He’s always wanted me to go out and volunteer for different things. After volunteering for a couple things, I found out that I really enjoyed it, and I wanted to keep doing it.”
Q: How important are grades to you?
HANKS: “My dad [Mo Hanks] is the principal, and my mom [Kristy Hanks] also works at the school, so I have to get good grades. [laughs] … Grades have always been very important to me, and I’ve taken my grades even more seriously this past year, knowing the type of financial support I could gain by showing colleges a high GPA.”
Q: How much do you appreciate your parents for the way they’ve helped you mature and become the person you are today?
HANKS: “I appreciate them so much. They’ve helped me with everything I’ve needed. I know my parents are always going to be there for me. I’ll always love them and thank them for everything they’ve done for me.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from high school?
HANKS: “My plan is to get a business administration degree. I’m still not sure which college I want to attend. But whatever college I attend, my hope is that I’ll be able to play basketball there.”
Q: How excited are you for your collegiate career?
HANKS: “I’m very excited. I’m very hopeful and optimistic about my future.”
Q: What do you want to do for a career?
HANKS: “I would like to be in the sports industry somehow, like maybe in the front office. That would be a dream job of mine – to work for either a professional team or a college team.”
Q: What is your favorite class this school year?
HANKS: “I’d say civics, just because we talk about the social issues that are going on right now, like the impeachment with Trump or what’s being debated in our state capitol, and we’ll also learn about how Congress works and how our government is run. I find enjoyment in that subject.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
HANKS: “I like to travel to different places. We go to Denver a lot for sports events, and we also go to Wyoming sometimes. Last summer we went to Las Vegas for a family trip to watch Mike Daum play in summer league. Traveling is fun.”
Q: What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled to?
HANKS: “I would have to say Las Vegas. That was just such an enjoyable experience. I fell in love with that city the second I got there. I would give anything to be able to go back again. I like the temperature, and everyone there seems to be in a good mood no matter what. I also like looking at all the lights when you walk down the strip. There’s just so much to look at. It’s an awesome city, in my opinion.”
Q: How much do you enjoy living in Kimball?
HANKS: “I like how people will always be there for you. If something goes wrong, there will be tons of people there to help.”
Q: What’s the popular hangout spot in Kimball for younger people?
HANKS: “Well, during the summers, we like going to Gotte Park and playing basketball on their public court. We’ll go down there and try to have pickup games whenever we can. It’s a fun spot to go and have fun.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
HANKS: “I would say Wade Brashear. He always does his absolute best at his job, and he’s always showing me things that I know I’ll take with me for the rest of my life. He’s always looking out for people no matter what your situation is. The impact he’s had on me is greater than any other teacher I’ve had.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Kimball High School?
HANKS: “I would say Samuel Cajero. He’s a senior. He’s one of my best friends. He always seems to have a smile on his face, and he’ll always be kind to anyone who walks by him. He’ll never be mean to anybody. He’s one of those people who will always be uplifting no matter the situation.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
HANKS: “I wish people would be more outgoing. Like in our sporting events, as an example, a lot of kids won’t go to the games. Some of them would rather just go home and play video games. A lot of kids just want to go to school and then leave right away when [school is out]. I wish more kids would be willing to be more interactive with people and get to know everybody and try to go to as many events as possible.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
HANKS: “My favorite is South Park.”
Q: What are your three favorite apps on your cell phone?
HANKS: “I’m always on Instagram checking out stuff, and I really like to play a couple games – Clash of Clans and Town of Salem.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
HANKS: “I think Chimney Rock is pretty cool. It’s a really neat place, especially when you learn about its history.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Kimball, which one would it be and why?
HANKS: “I would say Vince’s Corner because whenever I go there, they always treat me like family. Also, their food is great.”
Q: Are you familiar with Nspire Today! magazine, and if so, what do you think about the magazine?
HANKS: “Yes, I’m familiar with it. I’ve read it a couple times. I like reading the interviews with students. I think it’s a cool thing, seeing kids from our school and other schools being interviewed. It’s neat to see someone giving them a voice and recognizing them.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in your community?
HANKS: “Mrs. [Deb] Fennell. She’s always substituting whenever she can. She’ll always be there for you whenever you need help. She’s always at sports events. She always supports every single person who walks up and down the hallways in our school and in town. She’s someone that everyone knows and likes. She’s a really awesome person in our community.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
HANKS: “Jessica Hanks. She’s 21. She’s finishing up her last year at Chadron State College. She’s currently student teaching at Gordon/Rushville. Her goal is to be an English teacher somewhere full-time next school year.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Students of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, students of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in January to Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy.
First State Bank has been a community bank for more than 80 years with locations in Scottsbluff, Gering and Colorado Springs. First State Bank’s new mortgage center has the convenience of applying online without giving up the personalized customer service people have come to expect. Visit www.fsbcentral.com to find out why when First State Bank says, ‘We’re Big on You,’ they mean it. Find First State Bank on Facebook at firststatebank1935.
