Stillwater Christian School senior Carson Miller is a well-rounded student with a proclivity for math, music and mentoring. 

“Carson is a kind and compassionate student that seeks excellence in all areas of his life,” Stillwater guidance counselor Michelle Fetveit said. 

Fetveit is one of three people who nominated him for the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award, which he received earlier this month. The Award recognizes the academic achievement and community involvement of high school students who contribute to improving the lives of others. It is sponsored by Logan Health in collaboration with the Daily Inter Lake.   

“We have other leaders in our school who will fulfill all that is required of them, but Carson takes to heart the purpose of his role as a leader, and he will plan, prepare, and execute his duties with a great attitude and effective skill and commitment,” said fellow nominator Micah Hunter who is the choir director and dean of the conservatory at Stillwater. 

Hunter also pointed to Miller’s leadership skills within the school’s house system, which is a way of grouping the student body. House leaders spearhead meetings, fun competitions, chapel and retreats 

“As a house leader, he shows tremendous poise in leading discussions on difficult or personal topics, and he is always humble in his leadership. He has developed a great feel for leading by lifting others up,” Hunter wrote in his nomination letter.  

Miller said he strives to be a servant leader, looking to Jesus as the ultimate example. 

“A servant leader is somebody who inspires the ones that he’s leading but also puts their needs before his own. I try to remember that, but it’s extremely difficult,” Miller said. 

MILLER ALSO started a tutoring program at Stillwater about two years ago. He said he had been involved in a tutoring program that was discontinued during the pandemic, but the need for extra academic help remained and sought to establish a new program. Getting the green light from principals, he started contacting teachers to determine interest and recruiting classmates to serve as tutors for the new program called the Cougar Den, named after the school mascot. 

“He has a great desire to learn and takes great enjoyment in helping others learn as well,” said his mother Tami Miller, who also submitted a nomination letter. 

When Stillwater didn’t offer calculus this year, he decided, on his own, to take an Advanced Placement Calculus course, she said. 

“I do like math, yes, that’s my thing,” he said.  

Miller was exposed to advanced math concepts at a young age, starting in preschool. While most preschoolers are learning how to identify numbers and work their way up to addition and subtraction, Miller's older sister, who is now a math teacher, was giving him lessons in multiplication and division. 

After graduation, he plans to major in either physics or engineering at Biola University. He also plans to minor in music.  

“I did musicals from fifth through eighth grade,” he said, with Alpine Theatre Project in Whitefish.  

His first audition as a child was more at his parents’ behest than his interest at the time.  

“I was like, no, I’m a baseball player, I’m not going to do musicals. But then I auditioned one time, I got in, and I actually ended up really liking it,” he said. 

By the time he reached high school, he didn’t hesitate to join band, jazz band, concert choir and chamber choir and will receive Stillwater’s Conservatory of Music diploma at graduation. 

AS AN ATHLETE, his leadership skills extend to the basketball court. 

Passionate about the sport, he didn’t wait to join the basketball team. Toward the end of his freshman year, however, he tore his ACL and underwent surgery.  Undeterred by the setback, he worked hard to come back from the injury and succeeded. Then, during his junior year, the varsity team captain's ACL tore again, requiring more surgery. 

“I took that as a sign from the Lord for me to stop basketball because I was really committed to it. I would play, like, two hours a day, even when there wasn’t practice,” he said. 

Crestfallen he couldn’t return to the court as a player, Miller didn’t pass on his coach’s suggestion to lead the fifth- and sixth-grade boys' basketball team.  

“[As a] player, yeah, you’re just focusing on winning,” he said. “But the coaching, I’m thinking about winning, but also, since it’s fifth and sixth grade, I’m thinking about how to really be more of a teacher.” 

Outside of school, Miller is a camp counselor at Big Sky Bible Camp in Bigfork. He and his siblings were all campers and said it was a natural transition to become a counselor.   “You’re just kind of thrown into the wolves, sorta, with like 10 elementary school age boys in a cabin for the week,” he said with a laugh.  

He is also a counselor for Camp Promise, which is geared to people with disabilities. 

Fetveit said Miller is a positive influence in the lives of many campers in her nomination letter. 

“I just really love sharing the gospel with them and my love of the Lord with them,” he said. 

With experience working with students of different ages through tutoring, counseling and coaching, Miller said his favorite age groups to work with are the fifth and sixth graders. At this age, he said kids have a level of maturity but know how to have fun. 

In addition to the award, Miller is a National Merit semifinalist, Ben Carson Scholar and has a 4.0 unweighted GPA. 

“I’ve grown a lot as a leader, spiritually and mentally,” he said. 

LEARN MORE 

Winslow Nichols Award nomination criteria: 

Eligibility: High school students in Flathead, Lake or Lincoln counties. 

Academics: Students who value their education by exhibiting academic responsibility; preferably have a 3.0 GPA or higher. 

Character: Students who display integrity, compassion, service and excellence. 

Citizenship: Students who nurture healthy communities through community service, volunteerism or other contributions to their community and/or school. 

Leadership: Students who take initiative and are role models for others. 

Forms are available at www.logan.org/tomorrowsleaders. 

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].