CAST Alumni Spotlight: Austen Acosta

Austen Acosta, CAST Med ‘24, has been making the most of his time at Texas A&M University, not only pursuing a degree in Public Health, but also taking advantage of extracurricular opportunities as well. Austen is a proud member of the Corps of Cadets and a baritone player with the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.

In addition to building the mental and physical resilience as a Corps member, Austen shared that this experience has also taught him invaluable lessons in leadership, time management, and teamwork.  Additionally, joining the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band with no prior marching band experience has been Austen’s biggest accomplishment since becoming a CAST Alumni. Although it was a huge risk to take, he approached it with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and his hard work paid off. Performing with the band in front of over 100,000 people at every game is something Austen never imagined he would be able to do, and it serves as a reminder that “growth often comes from the moments that scare us the most.”

Austen has plans to pursue medical school in the future, something that may have not been possible if he had not attended CAST Med High School. Austen shared that without having attended CAST Med, he wouldn’t have discovered his passion for the medical field. “The school opened my eyes to the many wonders of healthcare and inspired me in ways I never expected,” Austen reflected. Internships and scholarship opportunities that Austen had as a CAST Med student helped make it possible for Austen to continue his education and pursue his goals at Texas A&M. As a CAST Alumnus, Austen offered the following advice for current CAST students, “Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone—you never know what opportunities might come your way when you do. Whether it’s joining a new organization, applying for that internship, or exploring a field you’re unsure about, take that leap.”