Annually, the Tribe Tribune recognizes the valedictorians and salutatorians in a variety of ways. This year, we wanted to celebrate our salutatorians through more personal means, and commemorate not only their accomplishments but themselves as individuals.
I am the president of FUHS National Honors Society (NHS). Christian Lawson is my vice president. As of the spring semester, the club had grown to approximately 120 members and is currently the largest club on campus. This is no small feat. As needed, Lawson has been ready and able to chip in. Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised by his initiative to recognize our retiring advisers, Mr. Muhovich and Mr. McIntosh.
When the idea arose to purchase a photo collage—one for each adviser—printed on cakes, I hesitated. In fact, I even rejected the hassle, jokingly claiming to my officers: “I’ll design a whole pamphlet if you figure out the cake.” While everyone played some part in the process, Lawson did the bulk of the work. From communicating with the store, to managing funds, to its delivery, he made it happen.
The cake was presented at NHS and CSF’s annual recognition ceremony. Typically, officers list the names of honorees, hand out cords, conclude the day and move on. However, the cakes added a layer of sentimental value. For years to come, I know that these cakes will stand out. And while I was surprised by his commitment, I shouldn’t have been. Service is a fundamental part of Lawson’s character.
Lawson’s determination stems from his older brother Sean who has acted as a mentor especially with scouting.
“Whenever I have questions I always go to my brother Sean because he can give me the most realistic answer,” Lawson said.
Sean joined a Cub Scout pack in first grade. Five years later, when Christian was in first grade, he did too.
“I knew a lot of people there because of my brother, so he could help me out,” Lawson said. “I accelerated through the ranks pretty quickly. I got to life rank in eighth grade.”
Life rank is the second to final rank in scouting, preceding the both highly-acclaimed and difficult Eagle rank. After a
few years of absence within the program, Lawson involved himself again in 2021 after the pandemic. During this time, he also began to participate in community service activities as a member of NHS. This would directly translate to his Eagle Project.
“It was two years in the making,” Lawson said. “In total, with me and my helpers, it was about 300 service hours.”
The Eagle Project, a significant requirement before attaining the Eagle rank, consists of a large-scale contribution to the community. This might manifest in a supplies drive, the construction of a garden or the refurbishing of a room. Lawson, with an engineering-based mindset, chose to construct a shade structure for Raymond Elementary School. He bought a simple DIY kit to erect the structure, but wanted to include concrete to increase its longevity.
“The concrete added another layer of difficulty, and necessitated the involvement of city planning,” Lawson said.
With a commitment of $1,000 and hours upon hours of labor, Lawson and others from his troop are now keeping students cool for years to come. Not only did the project benefit students, but it prepared him for the world of engineering: working with a variety of materials, city officials and local ordinances. Thus, his acceptance into UCLA’s chemical engineering program was a perfect fit.
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