FreeState invests in our youth through opportunities to provide experiences that guide students to develop leadership and communication skills. Students went through a competitive application process where they prepared an application and an essay and then were selected for an interview where they earned the opportunity to represent FreeState.
Meet Bennett, the 2024 Youth Tour Delegate
My name is Bennett Minnick. I am a junior at Perry Lecompton High School. I have a passion for history that started from an early age. I love to watch historical documentaries and play historically inspired video games. I want my future to include teaching and coaching wrestling. I started to play football my sophomore year, and I play on both sides of the ball and on special teams. I wear the No. 3 to honor my late cousin, and I’m proud to keep his memory a part of me. I am on the wrestling team and a captain and participating in the Scholar’s Bowl. I started participating in the Scholar’s Bowl in middle school, and although it conflicts with sports, I find ways to participate in competitions. I play in the band and am first chair in the percussion section.
Excerpt from Bennett’s Essay About His Mentor
Coaches are the backbones of programs and the only ones who can see the growth of a player day to day. Yet, they are often underappreciated and blamed when players fail. I have been blessed with wonderful coaches in my athletic career, from Mr. Base, my early Taekwondo instructor, to Coach Robb, my current wrestling coach. They have taught me about leadership and recognizing change.
In my first year of high school, I joined the wrestling team and found a coach who could be both silly and serious, Coach Robb. He was just the assistant coach at the time, but soon became the head coach and implemented “the quote of the week” and the team mantra, “hold the rope.” He believed that if one person quit or skipped practice, it weakened the team.
During a week when I was injured, I helped coach the team. Robb said, “one more left to go” but I knew there were three more. He later explained, “Sometimes, as a coach, you have to know when to stop.” I realized that coaches must see when an athlete is past their limit.
Coach Robb was my first true high school coach, and I’m lucky to have learned from him. He is one of three teachers and coaches at Perry that truly have my deepest respect.