Meyer named National Merit Finalist

Kiki Meyer, a senior at St. Bernard Prep, recently received notification and a certificate from the National Merit Scholarship Program for having earned a ranking in the top 15,000 students in the country and declared a National Merit “finalist”.

To become a Finalist, a student who has been recognized as a Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. Fr. Joel Martin, Headmaster at St. Bernard Prep said without a doubt Kiki is very deserving of this national recognition. “We have watched Kiki grow over the past four years, and have enjoyed the community spirit and hard work she shares on a daily basis,” Fr. Joel said. “Kiki is self-challenging in all that she does, whether in the classroom or on the basketball court, and when you combine that with her positive nature, she's a joy to her school.”

In an excerpt from her National Merit essay, Kiki wrote that while doing mission work in Kenya, “I recognized that I can be a key link in creating the right community atmosphere that gives each individual a sense of security and wellbeing.”

Reflecting more about her local volunteerism at home, Kiki wrote, “Because I wanted to accomplish a project more meaningful than usual service hours, I learned about what my state needed to reduce poverty at a camp called Alabama Possible. Here, teens like me worked together toward state constitutional and tax reform, setting goals and jump-starting ideas. Although I might not immediately see results, I know that my work helps the greater community.”

Kiki summed up her essay by saying, “Having been in these environments will impact the way I see the world and better equip me to understand the diverse views within a community. Instead of trying to stand out as an individual, I will strive to help create an outstanding community.”

Kiki is engaged in many school activities, and is very active with leadership and community service projects. She currently serves as the Senior Class President and has been involved in many leadership programs such as the Model UN – Vice-President; Cullman Youth Leadership; and Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program. Other volunteer efforts include: the school’s annual Bloomin’ Festival, in addition to the animal shelter, and Sunshine Center. She actively participates on the school’s scholars bowl team, basketball, volleyball, and softball team. Kiki is a member of Junior Classical League, Mu Alpha Theta, and National Honor Society.

Kiki is the daughter of Ms. Mary Sullivan and Malcolm Marler of Bremen, Alabama, and Van Myers of California.