Bryant High School senior Ayana Meyer has been named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, earning recognition for outstanding academic achievement.
Each year, more than 1.2 million high school students enter the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Students who achieve among the highest qualifying scores and meet additional program requirements may advance in the competition and earn recognition as National Merit Semifinalists.
The honor came as a surprise to Meyer, who said learning more about the National Merit Scholarship Program helped put the accomplishment into perspective.
“At first, I didn’t really know what it was,” Meyer said. “After they told me and after I looked into it, I realized it’s really an honor.”
Ayana earned a 1380 on the qualifying exam and said the recognition gave her a new perspective on her academic abilities.
“It made me see that I am smarter than I thought,” Meyer said.
A Bryant student since fourth grade, Ayana was part of the first group of students to attend Parkway Elementary when the school opened. Now at Bryant High School, Anaya was a member of the band and has taken advantage of the many advanced academic opportunities available at BHS.
“I think it’s been a really good school,” Meyer said. “I’ve gotten a lot of opportunities to take a bunch of AP courses, and the teachers have been really nice as well.”
After graduation, she plans to attend college and study finance, with Duke University and Rice University among the schools being considered. For Ayana, future success is also about making the most of the support and opportunities provided by her family. The daughter of Hiroko Meyer and stepdaughter of Jeff Woolsey, she credits her family with helping her reach this point.
“My parents have done so much for me,” Meyer said. “I want to use what I’ve done and get a good degree and a good job.”
For now, Ayana is grateful to be among the students recognized as National Merit Semifinalists and for the opportunities the distinction may bring.
“Even if I don’t make it as a finalist, it’s really crazy to think about,” Meyer said. “I’m just glad that I get the opportunity as a semifinalist.”