Burnouts – that’s what Kristian Medina wants to do to celebrate being the first 2022 graduate of Freedom High School, after battling cancer since age 7.

Medina’s family members will seat him in his truck to spin some circles because he earned the right to have his wishes granted. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was seven years old, Medina underwent chemotherapy and radiation for three years and then had a bone marrow transplant, according to KRQE. Nearly 10 years of remission followed. But in 2019, Medina suffered a seizure. He was taken to UNM Hospital, where doctors found a tumor in his brain.

Despite the adversity, which included losing his ability to speak, Medina continued to pursue his high school degree. A renewed round of chemo and radiation led to weakness on his right side, and Medina has a difficult time remembering words. Yet, he remained resilient in the pursuit of his degree.

“Every time he came to the clinic, he would take his cell phone and say, ‘Dr. Boayue, I have only five more credits to graduate,’” Koh Boayue told KRQE.

In front of family, friends, and staff from Albuquerque Public Schools, Medina received his degree during a special ceremony last week, after his mother and father helped him put on his cap and gown.

“It’s a very special moment because regardless of what’s happened to him, he’s been resilient,” Dr. Boayue said.  “He’s been going forward. He has not given up, and he has really pushed them to keep on going as well.”

The doctor praised Medina for his selflessness, mentioning the student's Make-A-Wish request as a young child. “His wish was to give to his siblings whatever they wanted, and Make-A-Wish honored that this is the kind of kid we’re talking about,” Dr. Boayue said.