The goal of a leader changes depending on the role he commands. For Cruz Lies, he takes what he’s learned from everyone around him to become someone who leads in every aspect of his life.

This quarter, this Polson senior has earned the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award, in recognition of his leadership skills. He was nominated by Polson High School counselor Chris McElwee.

“ I think it's pretty cool just because you're never like guaranteed awards,” Lies said. “So, when you do win, it's like, ‘oh, I actually got something.’ Besides that, you get to represent something cool, and I think that's pretty special.”

Lies is rounding out his high school career with multiple accolades to his name. He was a captain of the Class A state champion Polson Pirates soccer team. While playing for the soccer team, he earned All-State honors this year. He also landed on the All-Conference Second Team the last two seasons, while ending up on the All-Conference Honorable Mention Team his freshman year.

He also shines academically, have been an Academic All-Conference member every year of school, and nearing the end his high school career with a 3.96 GPA. Lies is a member of the National Honor Society and has a Summa Cum Laude distinction, an AP Merit Distinction and a STEM Distinction.

He also held the rank of student body vice president in the 2022-2023 school year and the 2024-2025 school year.

In addition, Lies rounds out his impressive academic and athletic record with a talent for recognizing the people around him.

“Cruz has an amazing moral compass in the way he treats others, and always tries to do what is right,” McElwee wrote in his nomination of Lies. “He has compassion, empathy, humility, hope, perseverance and many other positive traits. In my 25-plus years of education, Cruz is one of the best students that I have had the pleasure of working with.”

Lies will tell you first that he believes that being a good leader is just as dependent on the people around him as it is on his own ability to lead.

 ”I'd probably say recognize the people you're with because if you recognize the people you're with, you're gonna know how to handle the people and how to work with them as well,” Lies said. 

Those insights also help him understand the limits and potential of the students he works with. 

"For some, you can push them, and some people it's like, you gotta encourage 'em," he said. "So, I'd definitely say recognize your surroundings.”

Being a state champion in soccer and a former student body vice president, Lies knows all about recognizing who he's working with. It’s even evident in the way he carries himself around his family.

As the eldest brother to three sisters, he needs to be on guard at all times.

“They gang up on you sometimes, but I just keep 'em in check,” Lies chuckled. “They're pretty fun to be around and we all do stuff together, so we work pretty well together all around.”

The smile he had as he talked about his family, his academic journey and the things that motivate him reveal his zest for life – an enthusiasm that is bound to help him as he eventually heads down to Utah, where he will attend Brigham Young University.

Even though he isn’t set on what he wants to do, his passion for academics will help guide him as he makes that next leap in his life.

“It opens up new doors to different things because you meet new people, have different experiences and it can just teach you a lot about yourself as well,” Lies said. “A lot of times it can bring about new interests, which can be fun too.”

As Lies approaches the end of his high school career, he carries with him the value of family, education and connections. What pushes him is not just one thing but a combination of people and experiences that have helped him become the person he is today.

“It kind of makes it so I can be the best person I can be, but can also help other people be the best person they can be," he said. "I try to help them feel comfortable in that. I think that's really important. So it's kind of just taking like little bits and pieces of different leadership styles.”

No matter who he meets or what he does, he's bound to find a way to help those around him. So, if you find yourself in a group project or on a team with Lies, just know you’ll have a born leader at your side.

    Polson senior Cruz Lies holds a soccer ball in front of a tree. He is a captain and a state champion for the Polson soccer team. (Max Dupras/Leader)
  

  

    Polson senior Cruz Lies sits on a bench staring into the sky. He was awarded the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award in quarter three of the 2025-2026 school year. (Max Dupras/Leader)
  

  

    Blue Devils attempt to take the ball from pirate senior Cruz Lies in their varsity game on Sept 18. (Emily Messer/Leader)