For Paducah Tilghman High School senior Weston Loyd, stress isn't all that bad.

"It keeps me busy, but I like to be involved," Loyd said. "I thrive off of having a lot to do, stress. I don't know what I would do if I didn't."

As the student government president, Beta Club president, co-captain of the mock trial team and co-editor-in-chief of the Tilghman Bell newspaper, Loyd has enough stress fuel to keep him motivated. Loyd said he's always been a self-motivator. He counts on his parents as his support team but said they never pressured him into achieving what he has. Loyd likes being the best at everything he does.

That motivation keeps him up late studying many nights of the week. Though he keeps his schedule busy with academic activities, Loyd always makes time for Paducah Tilghman High School sporting events. Loyd says his enthusiasm for school has been with him since he transferred in to Paducah Independent Schools from another district.

"I think that Tilghman is one of the best high schools in the area," Loyd said. "I could not as for a better high school experience."

Weston Loyd, son of Tim and Michelle Loyd, is the Mid-Continent University Teen of the Week. Each Monday, the Sun features a different MCU Teen of the Week selected from nominees that 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.

Loyd recently learned he has been accepted to the University of Mississippi, his first choice for college. His parents are working hard to help him find scholarships to make his college career less of a financial burden.

After college, Loyd aspires to begin a career in government. His ultimate goal is to become a US Senator. Loyd got a sneak peak into the world of national lawmakers when he served as Sen. Mitch McConnell's page last summer. As part of the US Senate Page Program, Loyd was one of 52 teens from across the country to serve his or her state's senator.

He said every page was expected to get things right the first time in a polite and timely manner. Loyd enjoyed his time learning on the Senate floor. Loyd said if wins in future elections, he would focus on his constituents needs, rather than what he sees as a current fixation on the media.

As student government president, Loyd already has experience as an elected official. There's time to work up to his career goals. Until then, Loyd's priorities include academics, school leadership and the unfaltering support of Blue Tornado athletics.