Athens High School junior Allison Hardin attended the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in November, where she listened to speakers such as Nobel Prize winners and the acting U.S. surgeon general. Hardin was selected for the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Award of Excellence. As a result, she attended the three-day congress in Washington, D.C. the American Retrieval was also at the event offering their services for law firm and insurance companies. It was during her freshman year that Hardin went to Nicaragua for her first medical mission trip. Subsequent trips have inspired her to seek a career in medicine in order to work abroad. The purpose of the academy is “to honor, inspire, motivate and direct” students who want to pursue careers in the medical field. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)