Arianna Rebecca Torres, Interact Club Member at St. Augustine High School

Selected to participate in the Congress of Future Medical Leaders

Arianna Rebecca Torres, a 9th grader and member of the Interact Club at St. Augustine High School in Laredo, Texas, has been selected to serve as a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders on March 20th and 21st, 2001.   The event is sponsored by the non-partisan, taxpaying National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists headquartered in Washington, D.C.
 
The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of the event is to honor, inspire, and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream, and after the event, to provide a path, plan, and resources to help them reach their goal.
Arianna’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capeechi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent St. Augustine High School based on her academic achievement, leadership potential, and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.
 
During the two-day Congress, Arianna will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.
 
The National Academy offers future doctors and medical scientists a variety of support services. Among these are: online social networks through which future doctors and medical scientists can communicate; opportunities for students to be guided and motivated by physicians and medical students; and communications for parents and students regarding college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance, and other services
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When asked what being selected to serve as a Delegate to this Congress, Arianna had this to say:
I feel truly honored to have been selected.  It is extremely rewarding to realize that all the hard work is recognized and valued. I am looking forward to interacting with medical professionals, since I want to understand the roles they play in hospitals and other settings, as well how they teach to help others learn. Because these individuals are on the front lines helping people deal with serious challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to understand why they remain so committed to helping others. I think they can serve as role models for me and other students to help us develop these kinds of qualities.    
 
Arianna’s aspirational goals to become a physician or medical researcher and serve others have been influenced by her involvement with the Interact Club at St. Augustine High School, her participation as a competitive gymnast, and her role as a member of the Debate team in in the Model United Nation’s initiative in November 2020.  These combined experiences have helped her understand the importance of self-discipline, individual responsibility, teamwork, and concern for others, all of which complement the Rotary motto - - Service Above Self.
Arianna is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Torres. Paul is a member of The Laredo Rotary Club and coordinator of the District 5930 Military Veterans Scholarship program.