Class of 2014: Mr. Manager Dakota Boggs

Whitefish senior Dakota Boggs is ready to take on whatever challenges life throws his way after graduation. His high school experience has prepared him well.

“These teachers and other students have given me so much confidence and hope for myself,” Boggs said. “I know I can do anything I set my mind to.”

Boggs has blossomed from a “quiet and shy” student to one of the most well-known in his class. He has managed three sports teams, earned eight letters, was president of the JMG class, and was named prom king and to the Homecoming court.

JMG teacher Barbara Sorenson is nothing short of amazed at what Boggs has accomplished.

“When he came to Whitefish 2 1/2 years ago he was quiet and kept to himself,” she said. “He didn’t feel like anyone liked him.”

Then he got involved in JMG and was elected vice president.

“He took it very seriously,” Sorenson said.

As part of the class he had to work volunteer hours. Boggs’ friend Cooper Olson suggested he be a manager of the boys basketball team.

“He was scared to death, but he got the job,” Sorenson said.

Since that day he’s put in more than 300 hours of volunteer time as manager of basketball, football and track. He’s also gone on to serve as JMG president.

“You’ve got this shy and reclusive kid who is now prom king,” Sorenson said. “It’s like watching this wallflower just blossom.”

“Other kids can look up to him and see that it can be done.”

Boggs says getting involved in managing sports was the best decision he’s made in high school.

“I’ve gotten so much success out of it and made so many friends,” he said. “It gave me encouragement to do some pretty awesome things.”

As a manger he helps with stats, equipment and filming games. He’s known to get a little excited while behind the camera.

“I’m not supposed to be yelling at the games, but sometimes I’m standing behind the camera yelling out my lungs,” he said. “In football, I’d scream at the top of my lungs. They nicknamed me the banshee because of it. I screamed at Sean Foley a lot. He’s so fast and I’d get really excited when he scored touchdowns.”

Boggs plans to attend Mount Hood Community College after graduation. He hopes to transfer to the University of Oregon and work as a manager for the Ducks.

“He’s done his footwork,” Sorenson said. “He’s really investigated it and knows his career path.”

Boggs only has one regret from his high school career.

“I wish I would have learned earlier that I can go achieve,” he said. “It’s definitely been an emotional trip, but the last two years have been great. I couldn’t have asked for a better high school experience.”