This is the 16th profile of 20 about The Gazette’s Best & Brightest Class of 2011.

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Over the last four years, Jacob Dahlke has centered his extensive community service contributions on helping better sick children’s lives, a pattern spurred by a family tragedy.

Dahlke was a high-school freshmen when his six-year-old cousin was diagnosed with brain cancer. The Dahlke family spent much time that year traveling to Nebraska to support its extended family. Dahlke learned quickly how to be a shoulder for families suffering the unthinkable — the loss of a child.

He and his mother now volunteer with Make A Wish Foundation, an organization that sent his cousin to Florida before she died five months after diagnosis. He is passionate about bringing similar slivers of happiness to other kids.

“It reminds me of my cousin because going on that trip made her so happy,” Dahlke said.

Dahlke also structured his Eagle Scout project around kids, organizing a service day for painting caution lines around the Explorer Elementary School campus. The bright yellow stripes are helping a partially blind student navigate the school.

“I do like little kids. They’re fun to work with and I enjoy helping them out,” Dahlke said.

When not volunteering through various volunteer groups at school, his church, Boy Scouts and his own undertakings, Dahlke has earned a 4.5 GPA, ran track, played club and school soccer, volleyball and spent his past two summers working for the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department.

“Hard work is really important to me. I think that’s why I do everything I do. When I commit to something I make sure I follow through with it and make sure I do it to the best of my ability,” Dahlke said.

JACOB DAHLKE

Liberty High School

Parents: Scott and Chris Dahlke

College plans: studying biomedical engineering at Colorado State University

Other: Honors/Achievements: Eagle Scout, Cross Country Academic All State First Team, Colorado Council Volunteerism/Community Service Scholarship, Boettcher Scholarship Semi-Finalist, Academic Letter 2008-2011.

Jacob Dahlke Photo by