Supporting others, no matter their attitude

(MADRAS) — Lincoln Delamarter is, according to his teachers and the community around him, the kind of kid who is always ready to help.

That desire to support and raise up fellow students and others in his community is a big factor in how he spends his time, making music, participating in clubs, and supporting the local Young Life group.

He grew up in Madras and will graduate from Madras High School on June 8.

Delamarter is a musical person. His entire family is, with each playing an instrument and a grandmother who taught music. He plays the piano, trumpet and accordion.

“I heard someone play the cantina song from Star Wars, and how much it made everyone smile, and I was hooked,” said Delamarter. I got into music because I saw the entertainment it could bring others and wanted to be a part of that.”

He’s also been involved with the high school's theatre program and the e-sports club as one of its first members. “It brought a sense of community to something I already enjoyed doing,” said Delamarter. The team has won many national titles and large grants for the program in recent years.

He’s also active in the local Young Life group and is passionate about sharing support and the gospel with others. He’s been successful academically throughout high school and even ran for prom king this year as a senior.

“Lincoln is exactly the kind of student any teacher wants to have,” said Madras High School band and choir teacher Adam Thompson. “He’s always there with a helping hand. The good qualities of that kid are too many to name.”

However, the happy, ready to help, academically successful and involved student he shows, Delamarter says, is not always the case.

“I want to remind people that just because someone is happy and outgoing and looks like they’ve got it all together doesn’t mean they do,” said Delamarter. He hopes that sharing his struggles with mental health helps other students and encourages his peers to check up on their friends, even those who seem okay.

Now that Delamarter is a senior and getting ready to enter the next phase of his life with a significant change to a college in Pennsylvania, he’s still looking at ways to bring joy and support to others.

“I’m not sure why I want to do things to make others happy,” said Delamarter, “but being in Young Life and bringing them closer to God, and supporting people in band, in school, with music, it’s something I’ve always done.”