Teen intent on helping others

ST. MARYS - At 18, Justin Felver already has a history that revolves around empathy and a desire to help others. He plans to pursue that desire his whole life.

"You have to keep an open mind about people," said Felver, who is a senior at Memorial High School. "Don't judge people. It's one of the things I see around me that really bothers me."

Felver participates in community recycling projects and efforts to keep local parks and the Miami-Erie Canal clean. He has worked with St. Marys Goodfellows and has been on several mission trips with the youth group at Zion Lutheran Church to do carpentry work for poor and elderly people with a fourth set for this summer in Pennsylvania. Goodfellows hosts annual Christmas food and toy drives.

"Volunteering makes me feel pretty good," Felver said. "I really enjoy it. It makes you feel like you're doing something good in the world for others. I'll always be a volunteer."

Past mission trips for Felver were to Wisconsin, Tennessee and Illinois. He said he hopes to take on a leadership role in the mission trips while in college.

"It's given me a feeling of duty," Felver said. It's made me grow spiritually in my faith. It's been about meeting people, helping people. It's been a really great experience."

Felver plans to begin studies in medicine in the fall and is looking into attending Wittenberg University in Springfield.

"My family has a history of diabetes and heart issues," Felver said. "It would mean a lot to me to make a difference in one of those fields."

At the high school, Felver is a member of the Science Club, National Honor Society with a 3.83 grade-point average, choir, Weight Lifting Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Felver can bench 255 pounds and squat 400 pounds. He has played football, track, hockey, soccer and wrestling.

"Football is my favorite," Felver said. "I've played since the eighth grade. There's a feeling of unity with your team. It's the most team-orientated sport I'm in. That's why I like it. When the guys on the team pull together, it makes you feel great.

"It's a great feeling on the field," he added. "The Friday night lights are on you and there's that rush you get when you make a good play. The people on the team are friends I'll have forever."

In addition to his others efforts, Felver takes advanced-placement classes in English, biology, chemistry, calculus and government. For fun, he plays video games, reads and motorcycles. He also constructed his own computer.

"I have a Kawasaki ZL-900," Felver said. "It's a sport cruiser. It's my first motorcycle. I ride mostly with my dad. It's a way to be closer to my family."

Felver is the son of Terry and Shirley Felver. He has a sister, Michelle Kerns, 34.