Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, April 17, 2025. Reprinted with permission and gratitude.
By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy

The Spring Valley Kiwanis Club honored Brayden Betts with a Kiwanis Academic Excellence Award during a recent club meeting. He is the son of Jessy Betts and Heather Kaster.
The Kingsland senior is active in Kingsland’s robotics, HOSA, drama club, game club and Knowledge Bowl. “I’ve mostly just done these extracurriculars, but I did try golf for one year. Robotics is my favorite because I really enjoy all the people in it, and it aligns with what I plan to do in my future. My favorite subject is any sciences, but especially physics, and my least favorite is English.”
He’s rather invested in his school activities, as he noted, “I’m not in many activities outside of school besides extracurriculars. I work at the Pizza Place, and I enjoy all the people and the vibe there, as well as the flexible schedule. I spend most of my spare time playing video games or watching YouTube. I don’t watch many movies, though, so I don’t have a favorite to think of, and I don’t read often, but my favorite book is ‘My Side of the Mountain,’ as I remember reading it often when I was younger and only wanting to read that book.” He added, “I usually listen to J-Pop or Nerd core – I really enjoy music, and I even considered going into it as a career at one point. My biggest pet peeve is people stating obvious things for no reason, and I could live on grilled cheese for the rest of my life, but I think the grossest food is sardines.” If he could travel to any country in the world for free, he’d choose Japan. “I enjoy learning about the culture, and I think the architecture looks really cool. If I could travel to any state, I’d go to California because it’s warm and big, so I think there would be a lot to see.”
The 18-year-old maintains that people ought to have a strong sense of who they are. “I don’t have people I admire in a usual sense. There isn’t really anyone I look up to or want to be like.” He remarked that if he could do one thing to change the world, he’d “end homelessness because it would improve everyone’s life and solve many other problems in volved with that.” After graduation, he’d like to pursue a career as a software engineer. “I find the realm of coding re ally fun, and it aligns with my way of thinking really well. When I was younger, I wanted to be a pediatrician.”
The Kiwanis recognized Brayden and his parents during a recent club meeting. The Spring Valley Kiwanis Club meets at noon on Wednesdays at the Spring Valley Community Center and welcomes any visitors interested in becoming members.
Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325