NACHES, Wash. – A local high school student has been recognized for her potential in the medical field. Addison Merendon, a sophomore at Naches Valley High School, has been nominated for the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, an esteemed award given to roughly 4,000 high school students across the country each year.
Addison’s nomination is a significant achievement for her and her family. Her passion for medical work began at a young age.
“I started watching Gray’s Anatomy with my mom at like nine years old and I was telling my mom and my whole family, ‘I’m going to be a surgeon when I grow up.’ And everyone’s like, ‘Are you though? You’re nine,'” she said.
Addison credits her parents for their unwavering support in her journey toward a medical career.
“They’ve always been, like, really encouraging. Whenever I told her I wanted to do most of the medical content, she’s like, ‘Okay, we’ll figure out how to pay for it.’ We figure it all out. I got to go. She was helping me prepare with my group of friends that I was going with,” Addison stated.
Her mom and step-mom, Crystal and Hilarie Merendon, express immense pride in Addison’s accomplishments.
“She wants what’s best for her and she wants a different life. And I support that. I want her to have the life that she wants. I don’t want her to ever have regrets in life,” Crystal said. Hilarie added, “I’m proud to be her mom. There’s no words really. She’s not mine, but she’s mine. And her success is my success.”
At just 16 years old, Addison already has a clear vision for her future.
“My dream would definitely have to be a pediatric ICU nurse because I love kids watching them heal after surgeries and just being there if they need it. But if for some reason that doesn’t work out, I want to do research on autism and find more information about it, find better therapies and other things to make life easier for those diagnosed,” she said.
Addison is set to attend the conference in June 25-27th at the University of Massachusetts, where she looks forward to connecting with peers who share her interest in the medical field.
