Since the fourth grade, Peter Bovey has lived with a challenging esophageal condition that has led to 14 surgeries and an ongoing regimen of steroids to manage his health.

“That’s been a big impact on my life,” Peter said.

He vividly recalls the day his condition first surfaced.

“When I was in fourth grade, I was eating at my grandma’s house. I was eating some chicken, and then it got lodged. We thought I was just choking, right? So my dad called an ambulance because it wasn’t coming out. They took me to the hospital, and then they did surgery to take the chicken out. And then basically, they’ve—over the years—tried everything they could, but they couldn’t fix the condition. That food is stuck in my throat, so they’ve put me on steroids to manage it,” Peter said.

Despite these challenges, Peter has found strength and resilience through the support of his family and faith. Growing up in West Chicago with his parents and three siblings, Peter has been raised in a home centered on Christian values. His father, Dan Bovey, serves as a pastor at New Life, a bilingual church in West Chicago. This strong foundation has shaped Peter’s approach to life.

“God before anything,” Peter said, a mantra that reflects his deep devotion to his faith.

He carries this belief into his daily actions, demonstrating compassion, forgiveness, and service to others.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Peter said, quoting one of his favorite Bible verses.

Beyond his faith, Peter has a passion for sports. An avid athlete, he enjoys soccer, basketball, and baseball, with soccer holding a special place in his heart. Growing up in a family where his dad played soccer and his brother now plays at Judson College in Elgin, Illinois, Peter has developed a hard-working and aggressive style of play.

“I’d say very aggressive. I always go after the ball. Working hard. I’m always hustling back and hustling up the field,” Peter said.

As a junior approaching the end of his high school career, he is focused on his future.

“I want to pursue a career in medicine. I’m not sure which field yet, but yeah, I want to study medicine,” Peter said.

His determination extends beyond academics and sports. Peter takes Advanced Placement classes and works hard to maintain a high GPA, balancing school, sports, and a variety of hobbies. When he is not studying or training, Peter enjoys playing video games, chess, making food, playing ping-pong, and drawing.

Despite his busy schedule, Peter values in-person connections and has a clear opinion on social media.

“I hate that everyone likes social media, to be honest. I use social media, but if it was up to me, we wouldn’t use it. I feel it just affects people’s brains, and it just messes with them,” Peter said.

Peter’s closest friendships, like the one he shares with junior Caleb Salzman, reflect his preference for meaningful, offline connections.

“My best friend. He’s like a brother to me. We’ve been friends since we were in the womb,” Peter said.

The feelings are mutual.

“My friendship with Peter is super strong. We’ve known each other since birth and have been best friends since. He’s always been super kind and supportive and always pushing me to be the best version of myself,” Salzman said.

Peter’s positivity extends to his community. He and his family have faced challenges, including a legal dispute with West Chicago over a greenhouse, but Peter sees this as an opportunity to stand up for others.

“My parents have inspired me about that. They stand up for what they believe in and what’s right. I think the greenhouse issue shows how West Chicago a lot of times comes after people. A lot of times it’s not us. It’s the Mexicans, and our family understands how the city works and all the laws. A lot of immigrants in West Chicago wouldn’t have a chance against the city. I think it shows corruption,” Peter said.

Peter supports his father’s efforts to address these issues. Dan Bovey is running for mayor this spring to advocate for change.

“My dad is running for mayor now because he wants to bring change to the city,” Peter said.

Dan has immense pride in his son.

“Peter is one of the hardest-working individuals I’ve ever met. We tell this story of how, in fourth grade, he competed in an all-district 33-track competition. He ran the mile for Gary Elementary. After a half mile, he was in last place, almost a half-lap behind. He came back and won it in the final few meters. That event exemplified Peter’s determination. He trains many hours a day for soccer and works hard clearing snow and doing landscaping to make money. Most importantly to my wife and me, Peter has a solid sense of right and wrong. He wants to honor Jesus Christ through the way he lives,” Dan said.

Peter looks to the future with optimism, driven by his goals and guided by his faith. Whether on the soccer field, in the classroom, or in his community, Peter strives to improve every day.

“I hope to make the varsity team next year. I hope, with varsity, the playoffs and state. But I’d say training every day. It’s vital. I started weightlifting recently, getting stronger, getting fast, and just trying to get 1% better every day,” Peter said.

Peter Bovey’s resilience and determination make him a role model for his peers and a beacon of hope for his community.

His advice to others is simple yet profound: “Just to be nice to people. It goes a long way if everyone’s nice.”