Alkek “super” student set to conquer world of science
By Stephanie Parker 
Even though the scientific use of a ruler brought Brian and Cinda Farrell to Bandera three years ago, they disclaim credit for their super-scientist student, son Justin Farrell, 10.
Both parents stated – with wonderment in their voices – “We often ask ourselves what we did to deserve a son like Justin. He’s incredible, and a wonderful kid.”
Incredible is verified by the fact that, according to his parents, he was the first student in the Bandera Independent School District to skip a grade, still maintaining placement on the high honor roll and earning “commended” status on all TAKS tests. Justin ranks among the top 5 percent of students in the United States. He will be the youngest student in the sixth grade next year.
“Wonderful,” well, that would be a judgment call best made by his parents – who are definitely sold on their red-headed son. “He is the most polite kid you will ever meet,” Brian said proudly.
Then he explained how the family got to Bandera with the help of a ruler. “We were living in Florida where we went through three hurricanes in one year and faced ever-higher taxes. We didn’t want to move somewhere cold, so we took a ruler and drew a line across the map and the line hit San Antonio. We called the Chamber of Commerce and found out about the Hill Country. We had no family here and didn’t know a single person, but we love Bandera.”
Disclaiming credit for his academically talented son, Brian is disabled from a back injury following an occupation as a manual laborer engaged in heavy lifting. “I’ve always told Justin that he wants to use his brain, not his brawn,” Brian said. “I left school to work steel jobs, loading 100-pound steel into furnaces.”
He utilizes his non-employment hours by spending time with his family and helping Justin pursue his scientific curiosity. He purchased a receiver kit and two solar panels – which his son not only assembled, but can also explain in detail. This summer, Brian plans to purchase a more advanced solar kit with two solar panels and a motor to give Justin an opportunity to learn complicated wiring. Additionally, father and son want to build electromagnets and grow crystals.
Also disclaiming credit for her intellectual son, Cinda is a stay-at-home mom who supports Justin in all his endeavors. Those diverse endeavors range from practicing tae kwon do to competing against a computer in technical games that require Justin to build and govern cities, complete mathematical equations and create new inventions. “My job is just to take care of both of them,” Cinda said.
Church plays a vital role in the Farrell family. They attend Christian Family Center on Highway 16 North. “If anyone asks me what is one of the most important things in my life,” Justin said, “I tell them it is being a Christian.
“I also say that I have had good teachers at Alkek and my parent’s love and support me. When I’m in need, they are right next to me. Dad helps me with mechanics and is always telling me to use my head, not my back, so I won’t get a herniated disc like he has.”
Justin is quick with advice for his peers. “I tell them to behave at school and study hard because they will be rewarded later. I say, ‘You will get to be the boss – not get bossed’.”
Sharing advice with peers has not always been easy for the Alkek student. “When I was in third grade, I didn’t do well socially. I couldn’t communicate with the other kids. I’d start talking to them about the planets or the speed of light and they would just look at me and go, ‘Huh?’ When I skipped a grade it was better. But I still get picked on which is one reason I like tae kwon do. It’s my hobby and I’m very proud of myself for working up to an orange belt with a black stripe – which means that I’m halfway to being a green belt.”
Justin attends Bandera’s AMP Martial Arts, learning from Dale Keith. He started martial arts classes five months ago after watching Bruce Lee films.
“It’s good exercise,” Justin enthused. “And very strenuous. It increases my physical strength and helps me set personal goals that I can achieve. Oh! It is also good for helping kids learn discipline.”
Justin has engineered a plan for his future years at BISD that includes skipping more grades and enrolling in a university by age 15, with a major in mechanical engineering.
In addition, he is eager to being working on his inventions – a new steam engine that will never need refueling; indestructible buildings; a pulse that will protect soldiers in battles and a space ship. He also dreams of working out of his own lab someday.
When he is not completing schoolwork, competing against the computer or practicing tae kwon do, Justin enjoys writing about a character he invented, “Super Spy.” He also reads his entire set of “Books of Knowledge” and loves explaining that the planet Venus is the hottest planet even though Mercury is closest to the sun because Mercury spins more slowly, reversing heat.
He can also recite the speed of light and a long, detailed list of other scientific facts.
Justin’s Super Spy’s quest is to stop people from destroying the planet and rendering it inhabitable. His own quest is a bit closer to home. “I’m pretty busy learning right now because I know that will help me in the future.”
And to reward the parents who insist that they deserve no credit for their son’s accomplishments, Justin embraces one more goal, “To be a good boy.”
