Gateway Young Achievers 2006

Luke Downen plans holiday service project

(Sixth in a Series)

When 12-year-old Luke Downen was named a 2006 Gateway Young Achiever, his community service accomplishments figured in his selection. The 7th grader from St. Charles already has a new project planned for this school year.

Luke and his family are signed up for a weeklong mission trip south to Mexico to build housing for a homeless family now living in a shack near the town dump.

Luke Downen

His selection as a 2006 Young Achiever was made based on his 2005-2006 record of good grades, school activities, sports and leadership ability. Last school year, he was a 6th grader at Grace Christian Academy.

Although it was unusual, Luke decided to run for vice-president of the 6th, 7th and 8th grade student council. Usually, elective offices are filled by students from upper grades.

In her Achiever nomination letter, language arts teacher Nancy Ratzlaff noted Luke's decision to run was "somewhat unusual." However, she added, "Luke had a strong desire to be in a decision-making position."

She noted he "took his position seriously and participated fully in all the responsibilities expected of an officer."

Luke said his campaign centered on having better student events. They included such things as Fun Fridays, Impact Tuesdays and teamwork building events.

(This is the sixth of eight profiles by Young Saint Louis.com on elementary and middle school awardees. If you'd like to read the previous profiles, go to Past Stories and click on June, 2006; July 2006; August, 2006; September, 2006, and/or October, 2006.)

Luke is now attending Christian High School as a 7th grader. He has a new school but his plans include a wide variety of activities, just like his previous years.

He has achieved honor roll listing every semester he's been in school. His two favorite classes are math and science. He's planning to go to the University of Missouri-Rolla, where he'll probably study engineering.

For a career, he's looking at engineering, like his father, Phil. "I haven't decided on whether to be an electrical or a mechanical engineer," he said.

His interest in science goes all the way back to 2nd grade. There, his science project involved building a working battery. It generated an electrical current by using iron, zinc and vinegar.

Recently, he built a model car from Popsicle sticks. The car was powered by electricity and could go forward and backward. "I'd like to add steering," he said. Luke controls the car with a remote "rocker switch."

His interests extend far beyond science.

Luke on drums

He takes music lessons on the drums and he and his sisters, Rachel, 16, and Sarah, 14, are starting a band. Rachel handles the keyboard while Sarah plays guitar. Luke is starting to experiment with the bass guitar.

He said his favorite music is rock and alternative rock.

Another favorite activity is stop-motion photography. This involves taking a series of short videotape scenes of stationary objects. Then, you splice them together to simulate motion, much like claymation movies.

At church, he serves as a lighting "techie" when there are productions. He got involved there after a stage production class in school. He plans to do the same at his new school.

He also likes drawing with pencils. "I like to make charcoal drawings because you can smudge the charcoal to get different shades of color," Luke said.

Luke on the ice

In sports, his school basketball team was unbeaten during the last school year. He's planning to try out for his new school's basketball team.

Other sports activities involve roller hockey, soccer, track and swimming.

His earlier volunteer service work has included Operation Christmas Child. That's where kids collect material that can be given as presents to needy families. The student council members run the collection campaign and then do the packing of presents.

He's also been involved in helping with children's classes at his church.

Included with the Young Achiever award is a $1,000 savings bond. Luke has allocated the money: 80% for savings, 10% (or a tithe) for charity and 10% for personal spending.

The personal spending money, together with proceeds from lawn mowing, went toward purchase of a notebook computer for his homework.