Sitting in an oversized recliner after school, surfing endlessly through all 180 television channels . . . not junior Mark Manning. To burn up his free time, he flies gliders, snowboards, goes rock climbing, kayaks and makes drums - anything to keep his creative skills honed to a fine edge.
"Talent comes from effort and involvement," said AP art teacher Wes Hines. "You can tell he's spent a lot of time and effort working with it.
"His attitude is to put a lot of effort into things he does."
One year ago, Manning attended a performance in Polson of the Drum Brothers, a drumming group from Arlee.
The experience inspired Manning and his friend, junior Brett Morton, to construct drums of their own.
"Brett and I decided to build one," said Manning. "We got help from my dad. He's pretty knowledgeable in woodworking."
This year, on Oct. 18-20, Manning took his interest one step further and attended a workshop in Polson where the Drum Brothers worked with participants on drum making and rhythm.
"For some people it's like a gathering and releasing of energy and emotions" to play drums, said Manning. "It's just a way to communicate other than speaking."
Manning can be found in the garage after school working with drums whenever time allows.
Beside expressing his creative nature in building drums, Manning also puts his artistic side down on paper.
"I do mostly abstract (art)," said Manning. "I'm taking a drawing class at the college.
"If I could live off of it (artwork), that would be the best thing."
Manning also participates in a wide variety of outdoor sports. On his fourteenth birthday, he could have been seen soaring through the sky in a glider.
Today, you might spot him climbing on Stone Hill in Eureka. Or kayaking at Lochsa or on the Snake River, and when conditions permit, snowboard-ing down a snow-encrusted slope.
"I look for simpleness in life. I try to challenge myself physically but not to the point where it's mentally a struggle," said Manning, adding:
"I enjoy seeing how I affect the people around me and how they affect me."