teen spotlight
photography by Christy Keith
stats
17, Senior at Auburn High School
notable
National Merit Scholarship Corp Achievement Finalist, National
Youth Leadership Training Graduate, Alabama Boys’ State Delegate, Boy Scouts of America Leadership, Troop 15 Junior Assistant
Scoutmaster, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Served over 250
hours of community service
always involved
The number of activities Justin Smith has his hands in is almost
endless. At Auburn High, he is the president of National Honor
Society, president of the Spanish Honor Society, member of Mu Alpha Theta, member of the Key Club, student Ambassador and plays
varsity track and field, varsity soccer and varsity football. Outside
of school, he has been a member of the PACE Reading Club since
2005 and has been involved in Boy Scouts since 2006, where he’s
currently serving as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He is also a
competitor on the YMCA Youth in Government Judicial Team and
a member of the New Life Christian Center Tribe of Judah Dance
Team. Oh, and he’s an alumnus of the Hugh O’Brien Leadership
Program too.
Justin has received honors including the Academic Daughters
of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award and was a Triple
Jump Medalist during the United States Track and Field Junior
Olympic Trials.
what’s next
“When I was little, I wanted to be a cowboy so I could ride bulls,”
said Justin. But since then, he has matured and developed a deep
love for science after having passionate teachers at Auburn High.
Justin has volunteered at East Alabama Medical Center for several
years and hopes to contribute to medical development on an
international level by pursuing a career in chemical or biomedical
engineering. “I long to travel, engage with the customs, cultures
and languages of various people while also providing health
services and innovations to those in need,” he said.
justin smith
PG (parental guidance) rating
Auburn AL
Justin appreciates the fact that his parents have provided him
and his sister with “exposure to opportunities and experiences of
immeasurable value.”
parents’ perspective
Justin’s parents Charles and Sheryl Smith are proud that their son is
a hard worker. “Justin is self-motivated and committed.” He is also
known to be very social and able to “mix and mingle in a variety of
groups,” said Sheryl. Charles and Sheryl try to surround Justin with
positive influences. They also try to “help him build a resilience
to disappointment and challenges so he can continue to progress
forward towards his destiny,” said Sheryl.
parent-to-parent
Charles and Sheryl advise other parents to love their children
openly and, “Let them see your human side. If they can know
it’s possible to rebound from little mistakes, it will help them
learn to rebound from big mistakes.”
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