Two San Saba High School students were honored Thursday, as nominees for the Youths of Inspiration Award at Bruner Toyota. The Youths of Inspiration Award recognizes young men and young ladies from area high schools who have overcome significant life circumstances and having the courage, discipline and stamina to fight past those obstacles to make impressive achievements in school.
Allison Christian and Jordan Watson are both seniors who will graduate from San Saba High School this spring.
In her freshman year in 2010, Allison’s stepfather was killed in a tragic car accident on his way back home from work. He had raised her since she was five and he had been an important role model in her life. As a result, Allison and her mother went through some trying times but she has remained focused on her goal of graduating with honors and pursuing her medical degree.
Allison has excelled in not only academics, but also extracurricular activities such as One Act Play, the National Honor Society, varsity tennis, Spanish Club and Student Council. She has been a leader in her class and has committed herself to her grades. She will graduate this spring as Valedictorian of her class and start her college career at the University of Texas in Arlington this fall.
Thanks to her stepfather’s influence in her life and her constant support from her mother, Allison is a true inspiration and is definitely on her way to success.
Jordan is fighting his family’s third bout with cancer. When he was six, his older sister died of cancer. In his sophomore year, cancer struck again, taking his father’s life. Through the support of Jordan’s friends, school and community, he has weathered the storm of losing two loved ones and has become a true leader and inspiration at San Saba High School.
Presently Jordan’s mother is in the fight of her life with cancer. Once again, here in his senior year, he is supporting his mother as she struggles with the dreaded disease. Even with this pressure, he has accomplished so much in school. In additional to graduating this May with honors and 11th in his class, he has earned numerous All-District honors as he participated in football, baseball, track and power lifting while also being a two-year member of the National Honor Society.
Like Allison, Jordan has turned adversity into opportunity, and he will attend Texas State University in San Marcos this fall. He plans to earn an education degree and become a math teacher.
“We are delighted to honor two such exceptional students as Allison Christian and Jordan Watson, not only for their achievements, but for overcoming adversity,” says Bruner Auto Family President Greg Bruner. “We are grateful to Ms. Dana Pannell, the San Saba High School Counselor, and her team for helping bring Allison and Jordan to our attention.”
Through the Youths of Inspiration program, Bruner Toyota will recognize two students from area high schools each month during this school year. Each monthly honoree will receive a certificate in the showroom of Bruner Toyota.
Each student must be in good standing with his/her high school and be an exemplary citizen. Individual campus counselors recommend their school recipients of the Youths of Inspiration Award.
On May 22 at Howard Payne University, Bruner Toyota will host a dinner to recognize each of the 20 honorees from the participating campuses. At the event, Bruner Toyota will select one young man and one young woman, who will each receive a $500 scholarship. The school of each selected student will also receive a $500 scholarship donation from Bruner Toyota, for a total of $2,000 presented to individuals and schools.
Pictured above are Bruner Auto Group General Manager Jim Stanley, San Saba High School Counselor Dana Pannell, Allison Christian, Jordan Watson and Bruner Auto Family President Greg Bruner.
