Paducah Tilghman High School student Terrence Robinson intends to become a nurse after discovering his passion for the health care industry through his family’s nursing history.
He’s this week’s Murray State University Teen of the Week.
Robinson holds a 3.5 GPA and will graduate with seven advanced placement classes. Besides working on upper-level coursework, Robinson is involved in various clubs and organizations, such as the Boys to Gentlemen Club, Interact Club, band, orchestra, and track and field.
He also serves as the secretary of the Student Equity Advisory Council, Paducah Bank Teen Ambassador, president of the Paducah Youth NAACP Chapter, and president of the African American Leadership Club.
As for awards and honors, Robinson holds the distinction of being a Class XIV PaxtonScholar. He is also the recipient of the Centre College’s Centre Fellow Award, Berea College Woodson Scholar Award, and the Daughters of American Revolution award for character, academics, and school leadership.
Robinson was also crowned the school’s homecoming king in September.
“I’m the type of person where I like to be all over the place,” Robinson said. “I don’t want to just, like, speak to one thing. I want to do multiple, and I think that’s really what kept me driven about doing all this stuff.”
Robinson wants to attend the University of Louisville School of Nursing and earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing. His passion for helping others stemmed from his mother, who spent years working as a nurse practitioner. He said witnessing his mother go back to school to pursue a nursing degree impacted him immensely. He said the drive and dedication she showed with going back to school and her resilience were the very foundation that encouraged him to pursue nursing classes and ultimately a nursing degree.
“Honestly, I think I’ll be like a cardiac nurse,” Robinson said. “But later on in the future, I want to go back to school and be an APRN and probably stay in cardiac.”
Chief Equity Officer Shonda Hollowell with the African American Leadership Club noted that Robinson is a resilient authentic, change agent and a motivated student. She said although he’s quiet, his work ethic, along with his academic achievements, is incomparable.
“Terrance is a very deserving and well-rounded student,” Hollowell said. “He is most deserving of any and every accolade that is granted to him and whatever institution or university that he decides to attend will only be better because he is there.”
Paducah Public Schools Student Council Advisor Christi Wells said that one of the most remarkable qualities Robinson has is his dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. She said he is always willing to lend a hand to his peers, staff, and administrators. She described Robinson as kind and noted that his empathy makes him a role model for other students.
“Terrance has been an invaluable member of the student council, where he has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills,” Wells said. “His innovative ideas and proactive approach have significantly contributed to the success of various events. His approach to every challenge with enthusiasm and a desire to excel often goes above and beyond the expectations.”
Robinson wants his peers to understand that they shouldn’t let the fear of looking foolish hold them back, and they should always strive to try something new. He said that has proven true for him countless times in the past.
He shared a personal story of using this advice.
“I’m in the band, and we haven’t competed since 2019,” Robinson said. “So, this fall, we decided to start doing it again. It was just strictly based off of signups. So, I didn’t have to do it. I was kind of scared, too, because I thought I would go out there and look stupid and do bad. But I actually went out there, and I was part of a quintet, and we got first place at the competition. So, in the end, it was really worth it, and I’m glad I did it.”
