Like many young people before him, Chaz Gillette, a graduating senior at Whitefish High School, is preparing to leave the small town where he grew up to explore a career in film in California. But he won't take the plunge without a very solid backup plan.

Gillette, 18, is a 4.0 student and a member of the National Honor Society with a knack for math and science. He holds a second-degree black belt in American karate, having practiced martial arts since he was 4. And he's spent the past year as student-body president with a focus on community service and supporting fellow students through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gillette is also a passionate movie buff, and while he's dabbled in some local theater productions, the stage doesn't satisfy his love for the big screen. That's why he's leaving Whitefish to attend Chapman University in Orange, California, where he plans to major in computer science while also taking classes in Chapman's renowned film school.

"I wanted to be in that L.A. area so that I could get some exposure to that industry and the people involved," he said. "So while my major will be in computer science, I'm definitely going to be taking classes to explore that industry and see if it's something that clicks with me."

Gillette considers himself a hard worker; he said he values honesty and has strived to develop leadership skills. Among his film heroes are directors Joel and Ethan Coen. And sometimes, he watches movies to learn about himself.

"My favorite movie is 'The Big Lebowski' because that character is pretty much the complete opposite of me," Gillette said, "and I think that there's always something that can be learned when I watch that movie, from that character who just goes with the flow."

GILLETTE SAID he ran for student-body president because he wanted to be "the main representative for student voice when it comes to school projects."

"I think that's the most important role that the president has, and there were a few things in the school that I thought had an opportunity for improvement and growth that I wanted to get involved in," he said. "And I feel that we've done that."

In 2019, Gillette spearheaded the organization of a Veterans Day assembly at the school, which he described as a major success.

"That was a great community opportunity," he said. "We had 1,000 community members in attendance to support veterans. Our guest speaker was the CEO of [Kalispell Regional Medical Center]. We were able to raise hundreds of dollars for the veterans home in Columbia Falls. We cooked meals for the veterans and their families in attendance. And then, with the leftovers of those meals, we donated it to families in need."

WITH THE past school year upended by the pandemic, Gillette said he was forced to focus on smaller projects. "It's put a lot of stress on clubs trying to figure out how to assemble people and get people together," he said.

Recently, he and other students cooked meals for peers who have lost parents, "to let them know that they're supported even though it's difficult in this time."

While the past year has been tough and Gillette, like many people, is still trying to make sense of it, he's also excited to move away and pursue his dreams.

"It's a little surreal, just because of how this year unfolded," he said. "It doesn't feel like I really got a senior year. So, to have that realization that this is kind of the end, and the point where I'm moving forward, is a little difficult to wrap my head around. But I'm definitely grateful for the time I've had here, and I'm ready to explore that next chapter."

Assistant editor Chad Sokol may be reached at 406-758-4439 or csokol@dailyinterlake.com.