Recognizing character

The best student-athletes are often lauded for their excellence in the classroom and on the field. Creston High School senior Payton Davis certainly fits those accolades as a member of the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program and a state-caliber athlete.

In Creston, that’s become the standard. Maintaining a high GPA while participating in a number of athletics or extra-curricular activities isn’t what makes her stand out.

Davis was nominated and awarded the Creston Chamber of Commerce’s Youth of the Year for her empathy, dependability, humility, diligence, hard work and leadership. Her teachers and coaches speak to the rarity of Davis’s level of character.

She will be honored at the Chamber of Commerce annual meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Eagles.

Academics

In her nomination form, TAG teacher Danielle Flores said, “Payton is an honest and hardworking individual who approaches her academic endeavors with a remarkable level of self-motivation. She consistently exceeds expectations in her coursework, not merely to achieve high grades, but to fully understand and engage with the material.”

Davis is a four-year member of student government and is in the National Honor Society. Her favorite high school class is English.

“Her dedication to her education is evident in the countless hours she dedicates to studying and completing assignments,” Flores wrote. “This commitment has not only resulted in impressive academic performance, but has also inspired her classmates to elevate their own efforts.”

Davis plans to attend Iowa State University next year but is undecided in her major.

“Payton’s ability to set and achieve her goals is impressive,” Flores said. “I am confident that she will continue to pursue her goals with the same passion and integrity that she has shown during her time in my class.”

Athletics

A member of the cross country, track and field and archery teams, Davis keeps busy year-round.

She’s been coached by Maggie Arnold for the past six years.

“Payton has gotten stronger as an athlete each year she has competed,” Arnold said. “She was someone who, in junior high, we could tell had a ton of talent already. Through high school, she’s steadily built on that talent. She’s remained patient and she had her best cross country season this year. I just fully expect her to continue improving and have her best track season this spring.”

Last track season, Davis qualified for the state meet as a part of the the 4x800m relay. In her final cross country season this fall, she was only a few places shy of qualifying for the state meet. She placed 19th, finishing her career with a new personal best time of 20:32. Sophomore teammate Reese Strunk finished 15th to punch her ticket to state.

While Davis could have been upset her season was over and an underclassman had made the cut, Arnold said that’s not who she is.

“Payton’s just absolutely a girl’s girl in that sense,” she explained. “I think she provides a really good lesson to not just her peers but also to me. What she’s taught is even if you’re disappointed in your placement or how you did, she’s never once wavered in excitement for her teammates and what they’ve accomplished. I think that is a huge testament to her maturity and also just the way she’s been raised. She’s not a jealous human being; she’s always cheering for her teammates and everyone around her to do well also when they are competing. As women, we don’t always get that lesson or aren’t able to accomplish that type of attitude.”

As a junior, Davis consistently led the Panthers. As a senior, she missed the first part of the season with an injury. When she came back, freshman Cora Smith and Strunk had the top-two spots locked in. Davis never finished first for the team as a senior, but she never let it define her.

“The team aspect, especially in cross country, is so important,” Davis said. “We all support each other. It’s taught me that. I think it’s very important. You can’t get everything you want out of something if you don’t put your whole into it.”

Davis will have another shot at the state stage this spring in track and field.

Attitude

Outside of school, Davis has been involved in a number of service projects including Lead UC Youth and the Appalachia Service Project (ASP).

ASP is a nationwide program that coordinates mission trips to one of the poorest areas in the United States. Each year, more than 15,000 volunteers around the country serve in the program. The volunteers build and repair homes to increase quality of life for the people that live there.

The program has been in Creston for more than 40 years, and Davis was inspired to participate after her sister came back from one of her many trips.

“She came home with all these good stories, so I wanted to go when I got old enough,” Davis said. “I’ve gone the last four years.”

A 2023 Lead UC Youth graduate, Davis was a part of a community service team designed to empower teens to become confident leaders through various acts of service and by increasing community awareness while encouraging them to help create a more enjoyable community.

“She doesn’t do things for her community or for her school to get recognition,” Arnold said. “She does them because she genuinely wants to do them and wants to help others.”

Flores said Davis is known for her kindness and dependability. “She treats everyone with respect and empathy, fostering a supportive environment in our school community,” she said. “Her peers often turn to her for guidance, and she is always willing to lend a helping hand. Whether through helping fellow students or volunteering for school events, her willingness to give back to the community is commendable. She actively participates in various service projects, demonstrating a genuine commitment to making a positive impact on those around her.”