By Tonya Fennell
Sedalia Democrat
SEDALIA—Faith, family and future plans are top priorities for Evan Fluty.
The goal-driven 17-year-old is a senior at Sacred Heart School where his 4.19 grade point average has him ranked second in his class of 29 students.
“My goal is to be the top student,” Fluty said, “but I’ll take second.”
Fluty started school at Sacred Heart as a kindergartner and stayed through first grade. He then attended Versailles Elementary School from second grade through fifth grade. Fluty returned to Sacred Heart to finish junior high and high school. While Fluty enjoyed the experience of public school, he said he prefers attending Sacred Heart, which is a Catholic school.
“I enjoy the religious aspect of it,” he said. “I like being able to have faith in everyday conversations.”
Fluty’s faith extends outside the classroom and hallways of Sacred Heart as well. He is active in his youth group at First Baptist Church and is a member of the church’s praise band where he plays keyboard and sings. In June 2009, Fluty took part in an adult mission trip called Mission Arlington. Fluty said the trip gave him an opportunity to bond with the men in his congregation.
“I was the youngest one on that trip,” he said. “Mission Arlington has a huge impact on the community and the trip was awesome.”
While Fluty is dedicated to his church, he shows the same perseverance where his schoolwork is concerned. Fluty is a member of the National Honor Society and maintains an A average. In 2008, Fluty was chosen to attend the Missouri Scholars Academy, a three-week academic program for 330 of Missouri’s gifted students who are preparing to enter their junior year in high school. Fluty said a highlight of the academy was playing Scrabble against the world champion.
“Our team lost,” he said, “but I met some amazing people.”
Fluty also has been a stand-out member of the Sacred Heart math team for four years and his school letter jacket is decorated with numerous medals won at math contests.
“You have to like math if you are willing to get up early on a Saturday morning to take math tests,” he said.
Fluty rounds out his school activities by participating in school musicals and playing tennis. Fluty played a guard in the school’s 2009 production of “Cinderella.”
“I had a small line about meat,” he said. Although Fluty doesn’t describe himself as an athlete, he said he joined the tennis team because they needed another member to be competitive.
“I’ve won a couple of rounds,” he said, “but I’m a supporter in the sports realm.”
When Fluty isn’t studying or competing he said he enjoys spending time with his “close-knit” family, listening to hard rock music and watching “Family Guy” on television.
Fluty has already completed 30 hours of college credits and plans to attend the University of Missouri to study civil engineering.
“I like math and structures,” he said.
Although Fluty is looking forward to college, he said he plans to relish his final moments at Sacred Heart.
“I’m not rushing it,” he said. “I’m just enjoying it.”