April's student of the month hails from Las Vegas, Nevada. Though he describes himself as an avid outdoorsman, Ben Crawford was still willing to spend some time with us, indoors, in order to give us an idea of who he is.
ICA: Describe yourself as a person.
Ben Crawford: I am a quiet outdoorsman. I enjoy hunting and fishing and doing most outside activities.
ICA: What grade are you in and what courses are you taking or will you take? Do you have a particular reason for selecting these courses? Do you have any long term goals in mind?
Ben: I am currently in ninth grade and taking the "normal" course for high school, including English, Integrated Physics and Chemistry, P.E., health, Spanish 1, Algebra 1, and history. I plan on going to college, but I am not sure what I want to do exactly.
I love science and history, so maybe something in those areas.
ICA: How long have you been enrolled with ICA? What circumstances led to you being enrolled with ICA?
Ben: I have been enrolled with the academy since fourth grade. I started to homeschool when we moved to Las Vegas. My dad is a doctor in the Air Force. We will actually be stationed here until I graduate.
ICA: What aspect of ICA do you enjoy the most?
Ben: I love the flexibility of homeschooling. It gives me lots of time to do the outside things I enjoy, serve at church, and visit my grandparents back in Pennsylvania. It is also great to have the feedback of all the teachers.
ICA: Describe your hobbies and interests.
Ben: I am an avid outdoorsman. I like to hunt and fish. I also enjoy making things with my hands. I crafted a knife and have helped with numerous home improvement projects. I enjoy serving at the food pantry with other volunteers from our church.
ICA: Do you have a personal testimony that you would be willing to share?
Ben: I became a Christian at a young age and was baptized when I was eleven. I have been lucky to grow up in a loving Christian home. I enjoy our church, Foothills Baptist Church.
ICA: Are you a member of any organizations or church groups? And/or do you volunteer someplace special?
Ben: I am a student leader in our youth group at Foothills Baptist Church. I also volunteer with our local food pantry. I serve in VBS every summer, as well. We volunteer at the city mission once a month as a youth group. I will be going to Mexico in June for a week to help a church put on a VBS.
ICA: What are your future plans or dreams?
Ben: I really am not sure what I want to do as an adult. I plan on college. It would be great if I could have a career that would include my love of the outdoors, hunting, and fishing.
ICA: Who was the most significant role model in your life? Why?
Ben: I guess the most significant role models in my life have been my parents and pappy. They have been great examples of Christ's love and service. My dad and pap taught me to love the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. My mom taught me to serve others to reflect Christ.
ICA: After what motto do you model your life?
Ben: Fear God, love your neighbor, and hunt ducks. I even have it on a t-shirt. Duck Dynasty is my favorite show on TV. They are great outdoorsmen who love the Lord.
ICA: Is there anything you have always wanted to do but haven't done yet?
Ben: I would like to go on a Kodiak bear hunt someday.
ICA: If you could meet anyone, who would that be and why?
Ben: The Duck Dynasty men, the Roberts, because they are outdoorsman that love God.
ICA: What would others be surprised to learn about you?
Ben: I can sew and bake as well as hunt and fish. I made my own knife from scratch.