Ian Thompson, a 16-year-old student at Catholic High School, has had some pretty out of this world experiences. Just recently, Ian was one of only 320 students from 45 countries and 27 states who were given the opportunity to participate in the same training simulations as NASA astronauts through the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. The selected students went through astronaut training and shuttle missions, met with NASA scientists, engineers, and former astronauts, and designed, built, and tested their own rockets.

However, that’s not all for Ian. Ian is also a part of his high school choir and has performed in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Next April, he will be joining the school’s choir for a trip to New York City where the group will be singing in Carnegie Hall.

Ian is also a member of the speech and debate club, a youth ministry leader at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, and now, defensive end for Catholic’s football team. He is definitely a busy teen! If he sees or wants something, he goes for it. And, he’s already looking at college options. Ian has expressed interest in UL, LSU, Tulane, and Vanderbilt. While he hasn’t made a decision as of yet, he knows he will be pursuing engineering.

Ian is always one to lend a helping hand to those who are in need, and he will be filling his summer with volunteering opportunities. His dad shares that Ian is the type of kid who will need 20 service hours, but will turn in 40 because he really enjoys giving back.

Ian’s caring and go-for-it attitude truly makes him one amazing kid.

Do you have One Amazing Kid? Email education@brparents.com.