Senior looks to make life better for chronically ill

Columbia Falls senior Boone Shanks someday hopes to invent machines that make it easier for people to cope with chronic conditions.

The Eagle Scout and all-state member of the Columbia Falls speech and debate team, Shanks has seen health struggles of his own and in his family. When he was a freshman he had to have surgery on his back for scoliosis, he said, and his father, Ty, had a kidney transplant after years of being on dialysis.

So he speaks from experience. He has two metal rods in his back from the scoliosis surgery, which repaired the spinal affliction, but the recovery alone took about six months. His father is back on his feet and doing well, too. He’s the manager of the Western Building Center in Kalispell and his grandfather, Doug Shanks, managed the stores for years.

His mother, Lea Shanks, is a teacher at the Columbia Falls Junior High.

While Boone plans on working at WBC this summer, he’s off to Montana State University in the fall to study biomedical engineering.

“I just really enjoy science,” he said. “I hope to invent new machines and processes that help with chronic conditions.”

Shanks and his partner Lauren Rogers were one of the top debating duos while in high school. Earlier this year they took second in the state A championship in policy debate and the year prior qualified and competed at nationals.

“It was a great experience,” he said.

Shanks advice for incoming freshmen?

“Get involved in a bunch of clubs,” he said. “Try different stuff.”

In addition to speech and scouts, Shanks is a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of  Christian Athletes. He received scholarships from the Flathead Builders Association, the Columbia Falls Lions Club and the Columbia Falls Fire Department.

Columbia Falls graduation is 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7 at the school.