If you’re looking for wisdom at Monmouth-Roseville High School, Sawyer Fletcher might be your best source. He’s not loud. He’s not showy. But give him space and time to think—and he’ll tell you something true.

This fall, Sawyer will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with plans to major in political science and—very possibly—English, a pairing that aligns perfectly with his passion for writing, his gift for analysis, and his emerging interest in law.

“I’ve always loved writing,” he says. “And law gives me a way to keep doing that. It also gives me the structure and purpose I crave—a chance to make a difference, even if it’s on a small, personal level.”

That kind of humility flows through everything Sawyer says. He doesn’t need to “change the fabric of the universe,” as he puts it. But he does want to be a person who brings change to someone’s world—whether that means advocating for education funding, working in public interest law, or simply being the kind of professional who listens carefully, speaks thoughtfully, and shows up fully.

His recent trip to Springfield, where he lobbied lawmakers on behalf of evidence-based funding (EBF) for public schools, left a lasting impression. “I thought—what if I could actually do something about this? What if law let me step into that space in a real way?”

That moment also revealed something else: his growth.

“I’ve never been great at extemporaneous speaking,” he admits. “But I found myself meeting with Senator Halpin and just… doing it. It flowed. I opened up my notes app, jotted some points down, and went for it.”

That confidence didn’t come overnight.

“I was the kind of kid who hid my face in my mom’s shoulder,” Sawyer says, laughing. “I was shy—really shy. COVID made it worse. But once I hit high school, I knew I had to change.”

The turning point came sophomore year, when his best friend Rowan Love pushed him into trying drama club. “It was terrifying,” he admits. “But I did it. And I loved it. That one decision started a chain reaction.”

He joined the summer musical, even though he doesn’t consider himself a singer. He embraced roles in theater. He pushed himself into speech team, took on leadership in National Honor Society, and found work outside of school at Fareway and Harper’s Ice Cream. All of it taught him the value of pushing past fear.

“That’s become kind of my life mantra,” he says. “Just keep pushing outside your comfort zone.”

Ask him about his greatest strengths, and he won’t mention awards (though he’s an Illinois State Scholar, NHS president, and a standout student). Instead, he’ll talk about his interpersonal skills—his ability to relate, to listen, to connect.

“I’m not a natural showman,” he says. “But one-on-one? That’s where I shine.”

Sawyer credits a long list of supporters: his parents (“They’re always there, even when I don’t want to hear what they have to say”), his teachers (“Ms. Jennings changed the way I think about math”), his counselors (who helped him navigate 16 college applications), and of course, Rowan, whose friendship opened so many doors.

He’s also quick to give himself credit—something he’s had to learn.

“I used to be really hard on myself,” he says. “But I’ve realized I have to give myself grace. I can lean on others, but I can also lean on me.”

If he could talk to his younger self, he’d say this:

“Don’t let other people’s opinions shrink you. Keep being loud. Keep being big. That’s your strength. Use it.”

And it is.

Because Sawyer Fletcher isn’t just thoughtful—he’s brave.

Not the kind of brave that screams or stands atop a podium, but the kind that keeps moving forward anyway, even when it’s hard, even when it’s new.

He’s already making his dent in the world.

And something tells us—he’s just getting started.