Base dependent heads toward top

  • Published
  • By Scott Jarmon
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
The National Society of High School Scholars announced June 11 that San Angelo Central High School student Austin Medina had been selected for membership in the organization. Austin is the son of Albert Medina, a Fire Officer Course instructor with the 312th Training Squadron and a retired Air Force master sergeant.

"I'm exceptionally proud of him for receiving this award," Mr. Medina said. "I support anything he does when it comes to academics or getting involved in school projects, or helping with anything that he needs to better himself." Mr. Medina added his son has worked very hard to keep his high grades and to do his best in school.

The National Society of High School Scholars is an organization founded in 2002 to provide gifted students with scholastic recognition, resources and scholarships, which can help them get into the college of their choice. Applicants must be in the second semester of their sophomore, junior or senior years of high school and must have a cumulative 3.5 grade point average or better to qualify. Still, membership in the organization is by invitation only.

"It means that you take pride in your work," Austin said. "Basically, you take the extra mile to better yourself as a person."

Austin's plans for attending the University of Houston to become an optometrist haven't changed, but he said this recognition will help him achieve his goals.

"It doesn't change what I want to do, but it'll help me get there," Austin said.

Many universities have sent him correspondence and information to let Austin know about them, and Austin is ranked 54 out of about 750 students in his class with a 98.2 grade point average. However, NSHSS takes more than academics into consideration. The society honors a student because of his or her tenacity and hard work.

The recognition has helped teach Austin that he can do anything if he puts his mind to it.