Top Academic Scholarship Recipients Announced

Three students have been selected to receive Meredith College’s top academic awards.

Huma Hashmi, of Wilson, N.C., has been awarded the Meredith Legacy Scholarship. Hashmi is a senior at Greenfield School who intends to major in biology at Meredith and plans a career in dentistry. Her high school leadership activities include serving as Wilson Youth Council vice president, Student Government Association member, and as an officer in the National Honor Society, Debate Club, and the National Art Honor Society. She attended Governor’s School East in 2016.

The recipient of The Meredith Legacy Scholarship, a full, four-year scholarship, is selected based on merit, including superior standardized test scores, academic achievement, high school and community leadership ability, and strong communication skills. Established and funded by Meredith College alumnae, the Meredith Legacy Scholarship is the highest honor available to entering freshmen at Meredith. Additional benefits of the Meredith Legacy Scholarship include international study, leadership training, enrichment programs and mentoring.

Bailey Birtchet, of Bessemer City, N.C., and Rachel Hefner, of McLeansville, N.C., have been awarded Meredith’s Presidential Scholarship.

Birtchet plans to major in graphic design at Meredith. She is a senior at Highland School of Technology, where she has served as Future Business Leaders of America president and on the student council. She has been a Beta Club member and a junior marshal. Her community service includes Relay for Life, Boxes for the Troops, and March of Dimes.

Hefner plans to major in psychology or social work at Meredith. She is a senior at the North Carolina School of Science and Math, where she serves as a peer college counselor, teaching assistant for the Early Accelerator Camp and the Summer Bridge Program. Prior to the NC School of Science and Math, she attended Eastern Guilford High School, where she was on the tennis and swim teams. Hefner has also volunteered extensively with Tristan’s Quest, an organization that supports children with disabilities and at local elementary schools, cancer awareness races, and Crayons 2 Calculators, an organization that provides school supplies to Durham classrooms.

Presidential Scholars, like Meredith Legacy Scholars, represent the top tier of honors students at Meredith College. The selection of Meredith College Presidential Scholarship recipients is based on merit, including superior academic achievement, intellectual promise and leadership ability.

Melyssa Allen

News Director
316 Johnson Hall
(919) 760-8087
Fax: (919) 760-8330

allenme@meredith.edu