Full Name: Dustin Caten

What school do you attend?

Cookeville Highschool

Tell us about yourself.

I am a fun loving teenager, born and raised in Tennessee. I have recently started developing my musical abilities under the direction of Mr. Choate and my peers with outstanding talent.

What is your greatest strength, and why?

My greatest strength is my work ethic which has been developed through rigorous exercise, coach's challenges, and spending most of my life on a farm with constant need for work. This work ethic has carried over to my academics and is setting me up for my next goal, receiving a college education.

What is your greatest weakness, and why?

My greatest weakness is my patience. I quickly get frustrated with those who don't do their job. Especially when my job depends on the execution of theirs.

What skills do you need to learn to turn your greatest weakness into your greatest strength?

I need to learn to look at the issue from differing perspectives. I need to be able to see what could be holding others back, whether it is themselves or an outside influence.

What is the biggest challenge you have overcome, and what did you learn from that?

The biggest challenge I have had to overcome was recently, about seven months ago, I had to undergo surgery on my shoulder. Before that, most of my life focus was on playing and conditioning myself physically for football. Unfortunately, I tore some cartilage in my shoulder called my labrum and I had to get it shaved off. The surgeon also had to tighten my muscles in order to prevent further injury. This surgery, while it may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, left me floundering for the first few months. I could not do any physical activity or play any sports, which was an essential part of my life up until this point. My previous life focus has just disappeared for the foreseeable future. Luckily for me, my wonderful choir director, Mr. Choate, had convinced me that I was already a talented musician and if I put in the time and effort I could excel in music. I began to practice piano as soon as the doctor allowed me out of my sling and I delved deep into my musical ability that Mr. Choate had somehow dragged out of me. All in all, I realized that I do not need something like football to define me.

Why do you deserve this award?

I believe I deserve this award because this opportunity would help me kickstart a musical career and give me a wonderful experience that I can use as a tool to help keep me motivated to get to where I need to be in order to be successful in the music industry.

Who has been a role model for you, and why?

A person who is a role model to me is my younger sister, Anna. Where as I had fallen into the stereotypical football player and now choir/fine arts student, she has remained her own person her entire life. She has a wonderful tolerance for my idiocy and stubbornness. She has shown me how to remain strong in personal beliefs in the face of peer pressure, and she deserves the world.

What is the biggest mistake you made, and what have you learned from that mistake?

The biggest mistake I have made was raising my voice at my parents. Seeing my mother cry because of me hurt worse than having the previously mentioned surgery without any form of painkillers or anesthesia. I now realize that she has given the last sixteen years of her life to watch me grow up and become who I am becoming and she deserves more respect out of someone she brought into this world.

What activities are you involved in?

I am involved in CHS Choir, Mountain Biking, and an early morning gospel study.

How are you giving back to others?

My father has taught me from a young age to help those who are incapable of helping themselves. At least twice a month I go out to four different elderly couples homes and do their yard work, chores, and I visit with them.

Tell us about a personal achievement that makes you proud, and what you learned from that achievement?

Last year I schooled my dad in a half marathon close to where I grew up. I ran it in under two hours and I learned that if I work hard enough, the only thing that can stop me from achieving my goals is me.

How do you define being a humble person?

Being humble to me means that while someone celebrates their successes, they won't do it at the expense of others. A humble person will try to be mindful of others' feelings.

How do you define servant leadership?

Servant leadership is the act of making the decision to serve first rather than lead. It only works if the servant leader keeps the right intentions. It needs to stay away from the leader only leading to acquire power or influence for themselves.

Is there anything else we should know about you?

I am very grateful for the opportunity to sing with such talented people and have the chance to apply for this award.