Casey Davis

How does a person get a 4.327 grade point average? By getting straight A’s, including in AP classes. It’s quite an accomplishment, but one that this week’s United Dairymen of Idaho Distinguished Student Award recipient has achieved. Casey Davis of Idaho Falls High School is also just one of 500 semi-finalists nationwide for the National Presidential Scholarship Award.

At six foot eight, Casey towers above most fellow students. He was a star player on the basketball team, but it he admits he’s not a natural.

“Basketball – it didn’t come as easy to me as a lot of other things have, so I enjoyed the challenge and also the friendship, putting myself out there, just the hard work of it, I enjoyed all those things,” Casey says.

While basketball didn’t come easy for Casey, school work did. But even though academics was more of a natural fit, Casey still had to work at it, and keep it’s importance in mind.

“It’s always been first priority, even though spending a lot of time on my basketball and other hobbies, the first priority has always been school because that’s what’s going to take you the farthest in life I believe,” Casey says.

With basketball and studying taking their fair of time, Casey kept well-rounded, learning to play the saxophone and participating in band. Community service played a role as well. Casey joined some other students in weekly visits to a nursing home to sing to the residents.

“Those people there, it mattered so much to them,? Casey says. ? You could tell, they would tear up as we sang to them.”

It’s been a great high school experience for Casey but he’s ready to graduate.

“I’m way excited,? Casey says. :I’m way ready to move on to the next phase of my life and start accomplishing things.”