Justin Moser is one student at Mt. Rainer High School who already has shown he is ready to take on anything.

At the young age of 17, Moser has lived a life an absent mother, and has recently lost a dear friend. Yet he continues to overcome everything.

Already, Moser has started his own company-Reel Focus Films-and released his first movie documenting a season of the Mt. Rainer swim team, of which he is team captain.

The Rams won three consecutive state championships until last year.

What makes Moser stand out the most is his dedication to friend and fellow swimmer Brent Rice, who was killed in a car accident two years ago.

"I don't want people to forget him, or forget who he was," Moser said. "He always told me that there was nothing you can't do and he made you believe it."

Moser said Rice taught him about the more important things in life.

"Brent was a guy who was always outgoing and was nice to every person he met. He always wanted to do things that were adventurous."

Now Moser uses his talents as swimmer to make a difference for the less fortunate.

On Aug. 12, he successfully swam across Puget Sound from Des Moines Beach Park to Point Robinson on Maury Island in an effort to raise money for the Brent Rice Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The scholarships will help low income families by paying their share of swimming lessons offered at the pool.

Moser's cross-sound swim also raised money to help with his next film-his first comedic piece.

"I think that this was something that Brent would be really proud of, that's the reason I formed the foundation," Moser said.

Rice graduated from Whitworth College in Spokane and was an All-American swimmer at both Mt. Rainer and Whitworth. He also had challenged the grueling swim across the sound and made it successfully.

Moser's first film was dedicated to Rice and his accomplishments.

"Brent was an excellent student and swimmer, I've always strived to be like him," Moser said.

Eight other swimmers joined Moser in the recent swim across the sound, including Thomas Hathaway, who works at the pool with Moser and Baden Sprinkle, a captain on the Mt. Rainer the swim team.

But perhaps the most significant members of the eight-man team were Brent's own older and younger brothers, Jerry and Scott.

Jerry graduated from Whitworth College and made the successful swim across the sound with his brother.

Scott is a sophomore at Wisconsin Madison College where he is a member of the swim team.

"All the guys knew Brent and are motivated for the cause," Moser said.

Training for a long swim like this essential, and Moser swims regularly.

A veteran of several triathlons, which are training themselves, Moser and the others swim daily on Angle Lake.

Before crossing the sound, they practiced swimming from Saltwater State Park to the Des Moines Marina to get a better feel for the water.

"The practice swims were definitely a wake up call for me. It was a lot harder than I thought," Moser said.

The swim across Puget Sound was preceded by opening ceremonies at Des Moines Beach Park and followed by a barbecue and an overnight campout on the beach.

Over 60 people gathered to watch the swimmers take on the 2.3 mile challenge.

"The water was cold and choppy but it went well," Moser said. "I think all the support and adrenaline is what gave me the energy to make it through the swim."

Moser says that this will become an annual event and hopes that next year will involve 50 to 100 swimmers.

Donations have reached $3,000 and the foundation will accept contributions until the end of September. Donations can be sent to Reel Focus Films at 24302 23rd Ave. S., Des Moines, WA 98198.

For more information, visit reelfocusfilms.com