Barrett LeMaster has been an avid participant in Centerville High School’s Octagon Club all four years of high school serving as vice president this year, Student Council, National Honor Society showing both academic excellence and community service, and BOLD (Building Our Lives Drug and Alcohol Free). During his senior year, Barrett has been a member of the Care Team, Lunch Buddies and Study Buddies. He has completed over 150 hours of service and tutoring, volunteering for numerous activities in the community.
“What inspired me to start volunteering was my older brother, Cooper,” said Barrett. “Growing up, I looked up to him—like most little brothers do. We volunteered together all the way through his high school graduation in 2023. His example showed me the impact that giving back can have — not just on others, but on yourself as well. Since then, it’s been important to me to carry that forward and inspire others to get involved too.”
In addition to the multiple high school service clubs he participates in, Barrett has shown remarkable personal dedication to supporting the diabetic community. Barrett's advocacy for Diabetes Dayton led to the charity being selected as a beneficiary of the Spirit Chain fundraising competition, resulting in significant contributions. During his junior year, the Spirit Chain raised $86,000, part of which benefited Diabetes Dayton, and in his senior year, the competition raised a record-breaking $131,000, further supporting the charity.
Barrett mentions a quote that has inspired him throughout his volunteering journey is from Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” He shared that this question has stayed with him and continues to shape the way he lives and gives back. Barrett remarked, “It reminds me that the way we serve others defines not only the impact we make, but also who we are.”