Jack Lewis doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach—whether it’s pitching from the mound, preparing for college, or figuring out his place in the world. A Vandalia senior with a 4.3 GPA, Jack has loaded his schedule with AP Physics, AP Calculus, dual credit anatomy, English, and a KC speech course, all while balancing baseball, golf, and the challenges of senior year. “Last year I took AP Pre-Calc and AP Chemistry and passed both exams,” he says. “That saved me time and money in college before I even graduate.”

College is where his focus is headed now. He’s already been admitted to the University of Missouri, where his mother studied nursing and earned her master’s degree. The draw is strong—Mizzou’s med school has a reputation for preparing students for exactly what Jack wants to do: become a sports medicine physician. Still, his heart has long leaned toward Illinois, where he’s applying this fall. The decision may not be easy, especially with a persuasive mom who loves Mizzou, but Jack is determined to weigh his options carefully.

His interest in sports medicine stems from personal experience. Baseball has been his passion since childhood, and pitching has taught him lessons about both resilience and routine. When a shoulder injury sidelined him in his sophomore year, he learned that success isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about preparation and care. “I follow a routine like it’s a religion,” he explains. “If I don’t, I could get injured again.” Switching to a sidearm delivery, he found a motion that worked better for his body and opened up new possibilities on the mound.

Golf entered his life later, during junior year, and has quickly become another passion. “It’s fun when you’re good,” he says with a grin. “When you start figuring it out, it becomes amazing.” Balancing the two sports isn’t easy—he won’t touch a golf club during baseball season to avoid confusing his mechanics—but he sees the value in both. Golf sharpens patience and precision, while baseball fuels his love of competition and teamwork.

Jack’s interest in medicine connects directly to these experiences. He talks with enthusiasm about anatomy, physics, and the complexity of the human body. “It’s fascinating to learn how everything works together,” he says. “Cartilage isn’t just cartilage—there are multiple kinds, and they all have different roles.” For him, the human body is as intricate and wondrous as any machine, and he’s eager to spend his career understanding it more deeply. His dream job? Working with athletes at the professional or collegiate level, helping them stay healthy and extend their playing careers.

The support of his family has shaped his journey. His dad, Ryan, works in information security for the state, and his mom’s nursing background has been a steady influence. As the oldest of four siblings, Jack also sees himself as a role model for his younger brothers and sister. Growing up in Mulberry Grove, right on the edge of the Vandalia district, has given him a sense of both independence and connection. “I live out in the middle of nowhere,” he says with a laugh, “but it’s home.”

Teachers like Mr. Forbes and Mr. Strom have added to that sense of belonging, encouraging him in science and math while keeping classes engaging and fun. Jack knows these memories—Friday night football games, intense baseball seasons, friendships made in the hallways—will stick with him long after graduation.

At the heart of his story is that simple insight he offered about pitching: everyone has to find their own motion. For Jack Lewis, that means carrying forward his love of science, sports, and community into a future where he can help others stay strong. And like his sidearm delivery, it may not look exactly like anyone else’s path—but it will be his.