By Alaina Denean

The Selma Times-Journal

Mac Beers and Autumn Allday, juniors at John T. Morgan Academy, have been chosen to attend Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Washington, DC.

As an honors only program for high school students, the Congress is an opportunity for students that want to go into the medical field to spend three days in the capitol city learning and meeting professionals already in the field.

“This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially,” said Richard Rossi, executive director of the Medical Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. “Focused, bright and determined students are our future.”

Beers and Allday were nominated because of their academic achievements, leadership potential and determination to serve in the field of medicine.

“I was kind of surprised I got picked out of everyone,” Beers said. ”I’ve always been kind of good at science and biology, I always liked that.”

He hasn’t decided the exact direction he wants to go in, but he does know that he is interested in performing surgeries.

“I’m still really excited to go,” Allday said. “I decided that I want to be a veterinarian.”

Allday believes that attending the Congress will help her learn about the general field of medicine, and she can transfer that knowledge over to learning to be a veterinarian.

Beers and Allday will have the chance to watch a live surgery at the Congress, and both agreed they are most looking forward to watching it.

“I think it’s going to be exciting watching a live surgery,” Beers said. “I expect to learn if I can stand to be in the operating room when someone is having surgery.”

Karim Oaks, Morgan Academy’s director of instruction and interim headmaster, said she is excited for her students and the opportunities that they have.

“I think it’s wonderful. We love for our children to be able to go out and do educational trips like this,” Oaks said. “Anytime we have students that can be recognized on a national level, we think it’s great.”

Oaks said that she likes to see children get excited about their future and have an idea of the direction they want to go.

“When a child as young as a junior starts thinking about what they might want to do, it makes them a better student,” Oaks said.

Beers said that he is looking forward to going, and he is thrilled that he was chosen to have the opportunity.

“I’m excited to go and I’m honored to be representing Morgan,” Beers said.

Allday said she is hoping to learn social skills and about the type of atmosphere while in Washington, DC.

“I feel really good [to represent Morgan], because this is a really good school, and we get a really good education,” Allday said.