Anthony De Los Santos strives to do his best in the classroom, on the football field, in the throwing circle and in the community.

Motivated to make a difference in people’s lives, the Scranton Prep senior works toward his goals as an athlete and a future businessman. Recently, on a service trip to Los Angeles, De Los Santos helped others with the experience, leaving a lasting impression on him as he heads to the end of the track and field season and graduation.

From there, De Los Santos will focus on earning his degree at Fairfield University, where he earned an academic scholarship, and will study finance and accounting.

On Friday, he will compete in the discus and shot put in the annual Walter Godek Twilight Track and Field Invitational at North Pocono Trojans Stadium.

“I have had a lot of fun,” De Los Santos, 18, said. “Football season was a lot of emotions. We won districts and the first round of states. I enjoyed spending time with my guys. In track season, I coached many of the younger guys. Overall, I am having a really great time.

“I put a lot of work into everything that I do. I am looking forward to the challenge at Fairfield.”

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De Los Santos, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound two-way lineman, helped lead Scranton Prep to the District 2 Class 3A championship and a PIAA first-round win.

He earned All-Region honors on defense after recording 49 tackles.

In track and field, De Los Santos emerged as one of the top discus throwers in the Lackawanna Track Conference and District 2. His top postseason distance of 149 feet, 2 inches came as a sophomore.

Last spring, he reached 142-9 and finished fourth at the Robert Spagna Championships and was sixth at the District 2 Class 3A Championships (138-9).

His goal is to break the longstanding school record of 156-9 set in 2006 by Joe Ruzbarsky. De Los Santos launched a heave of 156-5 in Scranton Prep’s first meet this season.

“That was a big one,” De Los Santos said. “I thought I had the record, but I didn’t. I still know that I have it in me.”

While sports are a big part of his high school experience, schoolwork has always been De Los Santos’ priority.

He is also outside the classroom, participating in Scranton Prep’s Entrepreneurs for Good program. It is an intensive two-week course developed and led by alumnus Robert Sprung ’80, a Harvard graduate, Marshall Scholar, and successful entrepreneur, according to Scranton Prep athletic director Grey Simpson.

The program demanded both intellectual stamina and creative problem-solving. Students learned about the principles of business planning, marketing, finance, and ethical leadership. They then designed and pitched their own ventures aimed at improving the world around them, Simpson added.

This summer, De Los Santos looks forward to mentoring the next group of students involved in the program.

“It’s a redo of what I did last year,” De Los Santos said. “We get to come back as teachers’ aides. It was a fun experience last year. My presentation was one of the best. My company helped Latin Americans explore entrepreneurship. It was a three-step cycle class. I presented it well. Now, I get to come back and guide the new students, and I look forward to helping them.”

Following Easter break, De Los Santos went on a service trip to Los Angeles to the Father Greg Boyle-founded Homeboy Industries. It is a program that provides training and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people, “allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community,” according to its website.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” De Los Santos said. “Just talking to the former gang members and getting to know them was big. I have seen countless times how people look at certain people differently. What Father Greg Boyle has done is great for the community and something that everybody should be doing. Also, the other nonprofit organizations, Midnight Mission, Alexandria House and the Youth Center at Homeboy Industries, are all great, and I got to be a part of them and learn some perspective.

“It has changed me for the better.”

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After being gone for a week and missing practice and a dual meet, De Los Santos got back into the circle against Abington Heights. He finished third in the discus and third in the shot put. His distances were not up to his normal standard, which is understandable after the layoff.

Still, he was encouraged and ready to get back among the best in the conference and district.

“I threw like 131, which is not how far I average,” De Los Santos said. “I am not worried. It shouldn’t take me too long to get back, but a little bit of practice is needed. I have to get back in the weight room and really focus on stretching.

“I think we can do something this spring. I have to stay focused on my craft and believe in what I do.”