When Arthur Ludwig moved to Wright City from Minnesota prior to beginning his freshman year, he never imagined the friendships, interests and career endeavors he would gain from the encounters he’d have over the next four years.Now a senior, Ludwig reminisces about how his time at Wright City High School has been so formative in molding him as an individual. Ludwig has run cross country and track all four years, falling in love with distance running.He has been impacted by many teachers, who have helped him discover a passion for nature and science. Next fall Ludwig plans to attend Missouri State University to study in the field of wildlife biology and conservation management. There he will join one of his best friends, Jake Mueller, who has made a connection with Ludwig on the running teams.Ludwig has just one sibling, an older brother.He has been in student council for three years and served as class president his sophomore year. He was a member of FBLA his sophomore and junior years, qualifying for the state competitions.Ludwig has also been the captain of the cross country and track teams this year and has taken that responsibility very seriously.This summer he will travel with one other R-II student and teacher Amy Kessler to do a service project in Honduras. It will be Ludwig’s first time flying and leaving the country.“We are going to build a house for these native Hondurans and the village they live in,” said Ludwig. “I’m excited and really looking forward to it.”Q: What do you enjoy about running?“It’s so challenging. Just as an individual sport, it’s not as much about winning. It’s about improving your time and seeing how hard you can push yourself. In other sports you might be a star athlete and the rest of team could hold you back, but in running events it all depends on you and I’ve always liked that.”Q: What do you like most about attending Wright City High School?“I know everybody. It’s great. There are no strangers. People are kind. I guess since this is a small school people are nicer.”Q: What are you favorite classes?“Anything related to environmental stuff. I’ve taken every sort of environmental biology and agriculture class that I could have. I love nature and being outside.”Q: Who was had the greatest influence on your life?“Apart from impacting what I want to do for a career, a lot of stuff for me comes from my brother. I’ve picked up on his beliefs and humor. I’ve never met another person like my brother. He’s so unique.”Q: Which teacher has had a profound impact on you?“Mrs. Wright for sure. When I was a freshman I was in cross country, and I had a hip injury. She really cared about me and my injury. She helped me get better. I had her biology class, which is one of my favorite. I love the way she would teach. She didn’t put up with all the nonsense and it was so much more enjoyable that way. I’ve always enjoyed my interactions with Mrs. Wright.”Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would you want to go?“I’d go everywhere. I can’t just travel to one place.”Q: What is something unique about you?“I have a garden at my house in a raised bed, and the only thing I grew last year was peppers. It was filled with habaneros and jalapeños, and I would trick my friends into eating them. Their faces would go numb. I like to crush them up and put them in venison sausage. I think peppers go great with anything.”Favorite Food: “Anything spicy.”Favorite Restaurant: “Ruiz Castillo.”Favorite Movie: “The Revenant.”Favorite TV Show: “Breaking Bad.”Favorite Song: “Orion.”Favorite Musician: “Metallica.”Arthur Ludwig