National Football Foundation

Setting a bar that will be difficult to reach, Gavin Mills built an exceptional legacy at Powell Senior High School that extends far beyond an impressive résumé and only reveals a small fraction of his individual talents. 

A team captain his junior and senior year, Mills earned First Team All-State and All-Conference honors for three consecutive years. In 2007, he was named the Class 4-A Defensive Player of the Year. As a wide receiver, Mills made 66 receptions for 905 yards and 17 touchdowns. As a free safety, he recorded 335 defensive points, including 67 unassisted tackles, 103 assisted tackles, 11 pass break-ups, 11 pass interceptions and three fumble recoveries over his career. 

The valedictorian of his class, Mills tallied a 4.0 GPA and scored 27 on his ACT. A three-year member of the National Honor Society, he claimed the Distinguished Scholastic Achievement Award and the Wyoming Coaches Association Academic Award all four years of his high school career. 

"As an athlete, Gavin exemplifies the greatest qualities a coach can ask," said Powell coach Jim Stringer. "He is self motivated with a work ethic second to none. In my 18 years of coaching I have been fortunate to meet many wonderful student athletes from all walks of life, but only a rare few have had the type of impact on me as Gavin Mills! The positive impact he made on his school and community will be felt long after he is gone!" 

An outstanding leader, Mills was student body president his senior year and class president his junior year. Active in his church he was a Sunday school teacher and member of the youth group music team. Mills also volunteered for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Heartland Assisted Living facility and the community food drive. 

Mills is attending the United States Air Force Academy, playing football and studying pre-med.