By DJ Moore
Laila Medina is a junior at Eastside High School and she is also a Newton College and Career Academy student. Anybody will tell you that Medina goes over and beyond in the classroom, but she also goes over and beyond in her community.
Medina has been a straight-A student since elementary school, and she doesn’t look to slow down now as one of her goals is to finish at the top of her high school graduating class in 2024.
Even though it may appear that she makes whatever she does look easy, Medina says that the pressures of leading definitely can be challenging, if not outright daunting at times.
“It is difficult for me sometimes because there are some underclassmen who look up to me and comes to me for advice,” said Medina.
“It is difficult trying to maintain being a leader and juggling with communicating with other adults, but overall, it has been a great experience so far.”
When Medina isn’t strictly focusing on her schoolwork, she participates in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). With being a student leader for her community, she explains that FBLA has taught her valuable lessons.
“I learned that it is OK to speak out and do something that normally others wouldn’t advocate for,” said Medina.
“It is OK to use your voice and speak out for something you may believe in that others might not agree with.”
Medina not only is a student-leader at Eastside, but in the greater Covington/Newton County community at large. She is a member of the 100 Girls of Code Conyers Chapter, and she has volunteered at several “Change the World” events, which are hosted by the Covington First United Methodist Church. She is also a tutor for third-graders in Rockdale County.
But the proudest moment in her life is when she was able to host a gamer event for girls.
The event was something unique and somewhat out of the box, but it also garnered a great deal of attention. It was something that added to the diverse ledger of accomplishments, as well as something she took particular pride in.
“It was nice to get the recognition that I feel like I deserve,” Medina said.
Medina has a bright future, and she’s looking to see how far she can take it.
