Although he's been to the state football high school football tournament three times, Shain Ross is riding on the momentum of an academic scholarship as he prepares for college.

The Mayfield High School senior changes from student to athlete to employee easily, excelling in all three areas. Ross said he's played sports his entire life. He had to quit soccer once he got to high school because it interfered with football season. He also plays baseball during the year.

Ross's dedication and sportsmanship have won numerous awards over the years, especially in football. The sport is something that he's come to be known for. When he participated in the Governor's Scholars Program last summer, lots of students recognized him from state championship games. Ross said one football conversation started the strongest friendship he formed at the program, and it was with a student from Mayfield High School's rival, Beechwood High School.

Shain Ross, son of David Ross and Hallie McCampbell, is the Mid-Continent University Teen of the Week. Each Monday, the Sun features a different MCU Teen of the Week selected from nominees who high school guidance counselors throughout western Kentucky and southern Illinois submit to the Sun. Mid-Continent University will provide each Teen of the Week with a $2,500 annual scholarship to its university, which is renewable for four years. In the spring, a Teen of the Year will be chosen from the weekly winners and will receive a full four-year scholarship to Mid-Continent University, currently valued at up to $55,000, or a cash reward of $2,500 paid through the Paducah Sun if the student selects another college to attend.

With five advanced placement classes and a string of part time jobs, Ross has become an adept juggler. He's sustained a 4.0 grade-point average in high school and he hopes to continue the trend in college.

Ross will pursue chemical engineering at the University of Louisville in the fall. After he completes his bachelor's degree, Ross hopes to go into pharmacy school. He'd like to open his own pharmacy eventually.

Photography and landscaping have been his occupational focuses so far, but he's not interested in either in the future. Ross said he took them because they were jobs. Anything that paid for gas made the cut. He works at Wells Photography in Mayfield. Ross started the job to pay for his senior portraits, and he's stayed on since. He runs errands, sets up backgrounds and retouches pictures. It's not his cup of tea, but he enjoys his co-workers, and he's open to any new skill set.

Ross received an academic scholarship to University of Louisville. In order to keep it, he must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average. He wants to go beyond that to achieve a 4.0 in college. That pursuit will likely keep him in the library and off the football field. If there's time, however, Ross would love to get back into the game.

Call Rebecca Feldhaus, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8651.