Austin was diagnosed during his preschool years as having moderate to severe hearing loss and was assigned to attend Harding Elementary School in El Cerrito, the West Contra Costa School District's designated school for the hearing-impaired.

Allred attended Harding through fifth grade, becoming proficient at sign language while he was there, but decided he wanted to be in mainstream education. He attended sixth grade at El Sobrante Elementary School and was named student of the year, said his father, Robert Allred.

Austin Allred's education took a different course in 2001, when he learned about the military institute founded by Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown and immediately expressed interest.

Allred was the first graduate of the Oakland Military Institute's two-week initial training course at Camp San Luis Obispo National Guard Base and is now preparing to enter his junior year at the academy.

While there, he has served on the color guard, as well as being promoted through numerous positions, including company guidon (banner) carrier, squad leader, platoon leader and cadet lieutenant.

He also served twice as a cadet leader for incoming cadets at the school's two-week summer camp and was named Cadet of the Year for 2003-04.

Asked about his long-held interest in becoming a pediatrician, Allred said it was "because I want to help people," a trait his father said he comes by naturally.

The 12-day academy he is attending is the first held by Children's Hospital and is intended for teenagers who are interested in medical careers. The young people chosen to participate will attend workshops on vital signs, suturing, intubation and immunization; an anatomy lab and two field trips.

The program is led by Dr. Tomás Magaña and will include guest speakers, doctor and patient panels, and clinical case studies.

Allred was recommended for the program by Terry Mitchell, the hospital's audiologist, as well as by Dennis Fagaly, his biology teacher at the military academy, and Dr. Michael Zwerdling, his pediatrician.

He received a $150 scholarship toward the hospital program's $1,500 tuition from Hearing Instrument Consultants Inc. His father said a "generous contribution" toward the tuition also came from Allred's grandparents, Herbert and Elizabeth Madsen of Woodland Hills.

Allred, whose interests include math, science, biology, history and writing, will stay busy once the academy ends. He is in line for a summer internship at Oakland-based home furnishing company Sitcom until the military institute resumes in September.

From Contra Costa Times