Senior Colton Boston received a $5,000 scholarship to attend flight school in Texas on Feb. 12. CoServ‘s scholarship program awards up to $5,000 to high school seniors, their program’s purpose, stated on their website, that the grant is to encourage and support graduating seniors as they pursue their education, whether it’s at an institution of higher learning or a trade school.
“Going to flight school isn’t the cheapest thing in the world,” Boston said. “So when you get an opportunity to make it cheaper and make getting your dream job more of a reality, it means the world and it just gives you more motivation to continue on the path that you’re on.”
The application process required the students to fill out an online application, and their parents have to have a CoServ account and live in a residency that the organization powers. The student had to send recommendation letters from teachers or family.
Though Boston’s dream is to go to flight school and become a pilot, he is also part of the Eagle Nation News (ENN) as the executive producer. Boston’s older sister Kacey was also a student of ENN adviser Michael Hatch.
“Talent runs in the family,” Hatch said. “I still remember Colton sneaking up to ENN’s table at EXPO Night, eyes wide as saucers. He may have been quiet as a kid, but it’s obvious that he’s a born leader.”
Boston is also part of the stadium AV crew, and he spends a lot of time outside of class working on graphics, packages and content to improve the program.
“I have watched him spend loads of extra time picking up slack to make sure the show goes well, and doing a lot extra to add to ENN’s prestige and professionalism,” Children’s Health Stadium AV Director Michael Logan said. “The impact he’s had on our program is mind-boggling. It’s no surprise at all when he got the scholarship, he totally deserves it.”
Boston’s parents, grandparents, teachers and principal Paige Trujillo surprised him with the news that he got the scholarship before ENN was set to go live.
“I was first confused why my parents were in town from Austin and at the school,” Boston said. “But once I got told that it was because of the scholarship I was just really grateful that CoServ gave me the opportunity to continue flight training.”
Though Boston plans on going to flight school after graduation, his impact on PHS will be forever.
“In fact, the superintendent of an opposing team emailed Dr. Ferguson and said, ‘We were especially impressed by the courtesy and professionalism displayed by your student film crew,'” Logan said. ‘Their attentiveness, helpfulness, and respectful demeanor stood out and left a lasting impression. It is a clear reflection of the values your district instills in its students, and they represented your community with tremendous pride.’ I feel like this was, in large part, due to Colton’s leadership.”
This article has been edited by Agnipravo Ghosh, Emily Logan, Kate Duncan and Trisha Panicker.
