Some people may call Lakewood High School three-sport star Kelvin Mansfield an overachiever.
The humble teens resume is equally impressive inside the classroom as it is on the football, basketball and soccer arenas.
After carrying a perfect 4.0 GPA for most of his LHS years, he saw it drop off a little to an impressive 3.9 as he prepares for a June of 2007 graduation.
Mansfield saw some of his countless hours of scholarly dedication pay off Wednesday, Dec. 6 when he received a $1,000 scholarship at the 25th annual Scholar Athletes Award banquet at the Everett Events Center.
A total of 39 scholar athletes from 20 Snohomish and Island County high schools were honored for their hard work both inside the classroom and one the playing field.
A complete surprise until hearing his name called, the 6-foot teen said it was pretty cool.
They had me go up to the stage and say an acceptance speech, he said. I just started thanking my family, friends, teachers and coaches.
Linda Underhill, Mansfields mother, had a smile that could be seen through the phone when asked about her youngest son.
He is a very hard worker. School has always been easy for him because he works really hard, she said with pride.
Although currently undecided on his post-high school plans, Mansfield said he is leaning toward donning the purple and gold of the University of Washington.
If he decides to attend UW he will end up following in the footsteps of his two older brothers one is currently a junior and the other is applying to the UW School of Medicine.
Travis Boortz, an assistant coach on the LHS football team for six years, has seen Mansfield develop not only as a football player but perhaps more importantly grow into a leader off the field.
Asked to describe the multi-sport athlete, Boortz was full of praise for the teen.
He is a good one we will miss greatly, he said repeatedly. His leadership is way above and beyond he knows how to talk to the team. I think it was more off the field, he just has such a positive attitude.
Continuing with the compliments, the coach and role model said simply I dont think he has any enemies and lots of friends
After a little prodding, Boortz was finally able to share a lighter side of Mansfield.
Toward the end of the year (football season) we did some skits for senior week and had a contest for the best touchdown dance in the state. Everybody got up there and did something fancy, and then Kelvin dropped the ball on purpose and yelled its okay I just saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico. It was pretty funny and he won hands down.
Boortz said once Mansfield stepped onto the field he wasnt a guy that screwed around.
He never slacked off and showed good all-around leadership on the field.
Bob Sund, a committee member of the Snohomish County Football Officials Hall of Fame that presented the scholarships, said the well-deserving recognition wouldnt be possible without the generous sponsors and donors.
Sund said Mansfield was selected not only for his academic and athletic achievements, but also in recognition of his volunteer work with the community.
The teens resume makes one wonder when the teen has time for sleep and anything that may resemble a social life.
Mansfield has volunteered his time with Habitat for Humanity, Hand of Hope, Lifeskills in the high school program, been a Quest leadership challenge finalist, a panel member for Voices of Youth Summit and also a board member for the 2007 Meth Summit.
While the Lakewood community is sure to miss the affable and generous teen, perhaps Boortz summed it up best in the end.
He re-injured his knee this year and we definitely noticed it when we didnt have him in there, he said.
We are sure going to miss him. He is an incredible kid.