Coupeville High School senior Drew Chan, 18, is a team player.

In his years at Coupeville High School, that’s meant playing both basketball and baseball, participating in ASB activities as a representative and secretary, being co-president of the National Honor Society, acting as a Big Brother to a 12-year old boy, and serving as president of the Leo Club, a new teen offshoot of the Lion’s Club that performs community service.

Right now, much of his energy is channeled into the Coupeville baseball team.

“It’s the most focused team I’ve been on since I’ve been at Coupeville High School.

We’ve got more developed athletes this year,” said Chan.

Chan has served as team captain for both the basketball and baseball teams this school year.

He plays second base for the CHS Wolves baseball team, because he said, with a grin, “the middle infield is where it’s at.”

Chan is optimistic about his baseball team’s chances this year and is pleased that he’s performing better himself.

“Last year I struggled a bit at the plate, but I’ve been doing a lot of batting cage practice and I feel much better about my batting now,” he said.

Chan lives in Greenbank with his parents Chris and Beverly at the south end of the sprawling Coupeville School District.

He’s spent his entire life in Coupeville Schools, as did his dad before him. His grandparents, Donna and Thomas Chan, who live down the road in Greenbank, were both teachers in Coupeville schools.

“My family has always been really supportive of me. They’ve helped coach me and encouraged me to do my best and be a better person,” said Chan.

His parents and grandparents have been loyal supporters of his athletic events, attending almost every game.

His dad Chris helps out as a volunteer with the CHS baseball team.

Another collaborative project for Chan and his dad has been the restoration of his pride and joy, a 1972 Mustang Mach 1 fastback.

“When I was around 13, I found the Mustang in an old turkey barn on Fort Casey Road where it had been stored for 12 years,” said Chan. “We were lucky to get it for a good price, and it’s been a long-term project for my dad and me.”

They finished rebuilding the engine this past summer, with the expert help of a family friend.

Another friend helped with the bodywork and the repainting of the car with flat black paint and glossy black stripes.

Chan has financed his part of the project with part-time work in the produce section at Payless in Freeland.

“The people I work with are really nice and they’ve helped me have a better work ethic,” said Chan.

Other inspiring adults in Chan’s life include his high school calculus teacher Kyle Nelson and English teacher Barbara Ballard.

“”I’ve never been that great at math, but having Mr. Nelson has really helped. He’s always there to explain things and help out,” said Chan.

“And Ms. Ballard is always pushing me to do better,” he added.

Next fall, Chan will cross the mountains to attend Washington State University where his older sister Laura is enrolled.

At WSU, Chan hopes to learn the skills to be an athletic trainer with an eye toward working for a professional sports team one day. WSU has a good program for athletic trainers, offering internships and clinical experience to students, he said.

While he’s looking forward to college next year, he knows he’ll miss the camaraderie of his lifelong friends.

“Coupeville is such a laid-back place, and it’s nice to know everybody,” Chan said.

When asked to describe himself, he smiled and said, “I’m laid back like Coupeville, but I try hard and like to have fun.”