The fact that Michael Miller is involved in so many things should come as little surprise to those who know him.
“I am kind of like a giant try-hard,” he said.
“I do a bunch of sports and extracurriculars around the school.”
Miller is an 18-year-old Grade 12 student at D.W. Poppy Secondary.
At school, he is on the volleyball, basketball, track and field, cross-country, rugby and wrestling teams. He is also a black belt in taekwondo.
He admits he has no favourite among those sports — “just whatever is in season” — but Miller is just as busy volunteering as he is competing.
For the past three years, Miller has been volunteering with Langley Animal Protection Services, caring for cats at the shelter and fostering kittens at home. He is also heavily involved in the 24-hour famine and the 12-Hour Relay cancer fundraising event.
“I think it is everyone’s job to give back to the community,” Miller explained.
“It is your community, it is where you live.”
As for being so busy with all of his extracurricular activities, Miller loves it.
“It is high school,” he said.
“It is what I am going to remember for a long time. It is good to be active.”
Miller was also following in the footsteps of his father, Rick, who was the recipient of the Pete Swensson Outstanding Community Youth Award in 1980.
As for his post-secondary plans, Millers hopes to attend the University of the Fraser Valley, and hopefully continue playing sports.
He also wants to study to become a high school teacher, preferably a history professor.
