Dickinson student believes in volunteering

Editor’s note: This is the fifth story in a six-part series recognizing teenagers who make a difference in their communities.

Name: Austin Mack

Age: 18

Hometown: Dickinson

Parents: Henry and Cherie Mack

Future career plans: Austin hasn’t settled on a college yet but is interested in a criminal justice major.

How he makes a difference in his community: The Dickinson High School senior is student body president, National Honor Society president and involved in soccer, cross country, basketball and track.

He joined the Best Friends Mentoring Program last year and was matched with a local elementary student. He also volunteered at the program’s annual Family Fun Day.

Austin attended Boys State and Boys Nation this year. The American Legion events teach youth about government. He volunteers at his church and through RSVP+.

He also organizes diverse soccer games attended by Dickinson State University international students and oil workers.

Austin was one of six distinguished student finalists last year for the North Dakota High School Activities Association.

What his nominator said: “He is a young man of outstanding character. He is always willing to volunteer to help out in many ways whether it is helping out the neighbor lady next door or mentoring young people in various activities. He is a genuine and caring young man who symbolizes what the National Honor Society is all about: character, scholarship, leadership and service.”

Why it’s important to him to be so involved: “I just like giving back to my community and helping out.”

His favorite volunteering moment: “I guess just when an event turns out right — the way you wanted it to — and you get a lot of people to show up and it goes smoothly.”

Tags: news, youth, volunteers