Two Goldthwaite High School students were honored at 4:00 today, January 23, 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.
Mikayla Mitchell and Private Trevor Covault are both seniors who will graduate from Goldthwaite High School this spring.Mikayla is involved in all that small town life has to offer. In addition to being an “A” student, she works as the Secretary’s Assistant at Goldthwaite Elementary School, and is both an athlete and a cheerleader. Her infectious smile overshadows the adversity she has experienced.
While struggling with Type 1 Diabetes for several years, Mikayla has been hospitalized on multiple occasions due to complications, but has handled these situations with dignity and grace. Last year she discovered yet another health issue as she has Juvenile Dermatomyositis, a muscle condition that causes extreme pain, especially during physical activity. While many of the activities that she used to enjoy are now very painful, she remains positive and never uses the condition as an excuse to do less than her very best.
Throughout her school years, she has constantly sought more experiences to have and more people to help. She is a true inspiration to others. With her positive outlook on life, Mikayla is making plans to attend college and enter a cosmetology program.
Trevor spent much of his middle school and high school life making mature decisions about his future. He showed great maturity and inner strength at age 14, meeting with his school counselor for advice on how to raise his class ranking, excel in more challenging classes, earn his way into the National Honor Society, and improve his chances for college.
With his can-do attitude, he sought employment at First United Methodist Church to help contribute to family expenses. Such responsible behavior has led him to mature at a young age. Last year he enlisted with the National Guard where he now serves as a wheel mechanic (repairing any vehicle that rolls on wheels). He holds the rank of Private, Class E2. He plans to own and operate an automotive repair business following his college education.
Having achieved a 97.4 average, Private Covault plans to earn a degree in business at either Texas Tech or Sam Houston State University, which have both accepted him. Like Mikayla, he has turned adversity into opportunity.
“We are delighted to honor two such exceptional students as Mikayla Mitchell and Private Trevor Covault, not only for their achievements, but for overcoming adversity,” says Bruner Auto Family President Greg Bruner. “We are grateful to Ms. Stacy Jones, the Goldthwaite High School Counselor, and her team for helping bring Mikayla and Trevor 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.
