This is Alex Mastrolonardo. Someday, he may save your life. At age 18, Alex is on life’s “fast track” and will soon begin med school at the University of Pittsburg. I took this image as part of a small series of images to be used at his upcoming high school graduation ceremony. While Alex may have the outward appearance of a typical high school senior, there’s nothing typical about him. In fact, Alex is the most accomplished and humble young man I know. His entire life is about uncommon achievement.

In a world often consumed with entitlement, selfishness and ego,  Alex is everything opposite of that. He’s a soft-spoken young man with an impressive track record and an incredibly bright future. Even at such a young age his resume chronicles years of hard work, sacrifice, discipline and uncommon achievement. As a high school senior, Alex has already achieved the following:

12^th Grade GPA of 4.43

• IOWA – 99% national percentile
• SAT I – combined score – 2150
• SAT II – Biology score 740
• SAT II Chemistry score 740
• Accumulated 40 college credits in Chemistry, Calculus and Analytical Geometry

Completed academic enrichment programs including:

• Wheatstone Academy – BIOLA University
• Bioscience and Biotechnology Camp – Stanford University
• Pre-Med Camp – Pensacola Christian College

Alex is also a Second Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and has achieved the following awards:

• National gold medalist in weapons
• National silver medalist in forms
• National silver medalist in sparring

Alex has volunteered more than 2,400 hours at orphanages, rescue missions, hospitals and churches. For his extensive volunteer work, Alex is a recipient of the prestigious 2011 Congressional Award Gold Medal. This award is established by the United States Congress and represents the highest award given by any U.S. legislative body.

Alex has numerous musical achievements which include gold and bronze medals from California State Long Beach, American College of Musicians and the Reverie Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Alex is also an accomplished music and math teacher and has traveled to such places as Canada, Ecuador, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore and Thailand.

When I first approached Alex with the idea of featuring him on my website, I could tell the idea made him a little uncomfortable. Alex has the type of deep humility that makes him uncomfortable with personal attention. Luckily, Alex agreed to let me highlight some of his accomplishments. When I asked him what he thought about his impressive achievements, Alex credited his relationship with Jesus Christ as his motivation and inspiration. Specifically, he mentioned the following scriptures as being important in his life:

• Jude 24-25  To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
• Ephesians 5: 8-9  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).

In August, Alex will travel to Thailand where he plans to spend two weeks teaching math, reading and martial arts to orphaned children. Upon returning to the United States, he will immediately begin his studies at the University of Pittsburg where he plans to double major in Philosophy and Bio Chemistry. The famous playwright, George Bernard Shaw once said “Youth is wasted on the young.” Obviously, Mr. Shaw never met Alex Mastrolonardo.

It’s a personal honor to know Alex and to call him my friend. He’s a man of uncommon humility and achievement. I’m excited for him and all that God has in store for his future.