Dakota Wilson

At 6 feet, six inches tall, Dakota Wilson towers over the other students at south Fremont High School in more ways than one. You’d expect someone his size to excel at sports, but Dakota stands out in other areas as well. That’s why he’s this week’s United Dairymen of Idaho Distinguished Student. He gets the award and the plaque from Crown Trophy.

Dakota Wilson has been playing the tuba since eighth grade. He was a big boy, so he wanted to play a big instrument, and he’s found band to be very rewarding.

“I just like to get together with the rest of the people in the band, making good music – it’s fun, it gives you a good feeling,”Dakota said.

Dakota is probably best known for his accomplishments in football. He’s made first team all conference right tackle for the past two years. He also got his varsity letter for three years in basketball.

“The biggest thing is the work ethic sports teach,” Dakota said. “It gets you motivated to do stuff. Also I like the brotherhood that comes with it. You know you have a team that has your back no matter what.”

Dakota has already signed with ISU to play football, but that will have to wait a couple years. Just this week he learned he’s been called to serve an LDS mission in South Korea a week after he graduates.

“It was kind of a shock when I first opened it,” Dakota said. “I never pictured myself going to South Korea, but I started doing some research on the food and the language and I’m really excited. It’s going to be a good experience.”

With a 3.8 GPA and 29 ACT score, Dakota has focused on academics, too. He says that helped him land that spot on the ISU football team.

“Everyone I talked to – all the coaches and recruiters and stuff, they always asked about grades, and they said grades are the biggest factor in determining whether someone’s a hard worker or not,” Dakota said.