Leadership comes naturally for Plainville senior Ben Hansen.  

Hansen has been his class president since his freshman year and also serves as STUCO president at the school. 

"I've always just tried to take on as many leadership opportunities as I can," Hansen said. "I get that from my mom (Kelli Hansen). She's the same way, she tries to be involved in leadership roles in about everything out here. 

"She was the mayor (of Plainville) when I was growing up. She's always someone I can look up to." 

Hansen, the Capitol Federal True Blue® Student of the Week, has left his mark on the school in countless ways.  

A football and wrestling standout, the 4.0 student is a member of the National Honor Society and also active in FFA, pep club and yearbook in addition to his STUCO and senior class leadership responsibilities. 

"Growing up in a small town and a community like this, where you know no matter what sport it is, no matter what activity it is, the community is going to be behind you and they're always going to be there to support you, it's amazing," Hansen said.  

"I would be out in the stands or out behind the stands playing football when I was a little kid, just going to all the activities I could and just seeing the pride Plainville takes in all their sports and all their activities." 

Plainville activities director Chris Drees said the student body looks up to the versatile Hansen as a role model.  

"The kid just does everything the right way," Drees said. "He's a tremendous student. He's always willing to help out whenever you need help. The activities and athletics aside, just the kid himself is just a great person to be around. He's really inspiring not only to adults but to kids.  

"Every opportunity we have to put him up front and be the face of our school, we do it. He's really taken that role and leadership responsibility to a new level." 

Athletically, this year has been a roller coaster for Hansen, with a shoulder injury threatening to derail his senior season in football and wrestling.  

He broke a bone in his shoulder early in the football season and missed most of the season before returning to play in the final game. He re-injured the shoulder and was forced to miss the start of wrestling season. 

"When it first happened during football, just a lot of questions ran through my mind on whether I was going to step onto the field again," Hansen said. "And then my mind instantly just started thinking about how I was going to help my team at practice and on the sideline, ways that I could still be involved and still be a part of the team even though I wasn't going to be able to be out there.  

"Then when I started my recovery and they gave me the option to come back and play my last game, it was a no-brainer for me. I knew I had to go out there and play one last time." 

Just when the shoulder was starting to come around, Hansen re-aggravated it as Christmas break was ending. 

"It started raising a lot of doubts in my mind," he said. "I went to the first tournament, I felt fine. The Beloit tournament I struggled with my shoulder and then I got the brace on there. Once I put my brace on, it felt good and I was ready." 

Hansen's shoulder also bothered him during the regional meet at Norton, but he still managed to qualify for state by placing fourth at 182 pounds.  

His high school athletic career ended with a remarkable run in the Class 3-2-1A state tournament in Hays.  

Hansen won his first three matches at state, including a thrilling overtime victory in the semifinal to make the title match, ultimately finishing runner-up.  

"It was crazy, just even thinking about it now," Hansen said. "From where I was at the beginning of my senior year and the beginning of wrestling season to where it ended, I couldn't have done it without all the support of my family, my friends, my coaches, everybody." 

"Athletically, his accomplishments speak for themselves," Drees said. "What he did in wrestling this year (with the shoulder injury), shows the grit and the sacrifice to accomplish a goal. It was just inspiring, really." 

Hansen underwent shoulder surgery a week after the wrestling season ended.  

"I started physical therapy," Hansen said. "Still in the sling, but recovering. I should be out of the sling in a couple weeks." 

Hansen will attend the University of Kansas and major in human biology.  

"On the pre-dental track," he said. "I've thought about it since I was in junior high. This year, I finally decided that that's what I wanted to do." 

Outside of athletics, he said his favorite activities include FFA and STUCO and best memories were "just enjoying life here with all my friends. Hanging out, driving around." 

With his time in high school winding down, Hansen has started to reflect on the journey. 

"It's definitely made me think about all the laughs I've had this year," Hansen said. "Everything is coming to an end. I've got two weeks left. I've got a lot of stuff to get done, but it's started to hit me."