Bay High’s Alana Bernys adds National Merit Finalist to list of honors

Alana Bernys, Bay High graduating senior.

Bay High senior Alana Bernys has been named a National Merit Finalist. She is among less than one percent of U.S. graduating seniors who qualified for the distinction based on scores of the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) college entrance exam taken during their junior year.

Alana has previously been recognized for earning a top score of 36 on the ACT college entrance exam. She was also named a Presidential Scholar candidate earlier this year. She plans to pursue a double major in biochemistry and art history when she enters Darmouth College this fall to prepare for a career as a medical researcher in the field of genetics.

“My interest in genetics started when I took some advanced classes through the Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search program in the eighth grade,” she said. She took online courses in genetics and biology, and has maintained a rigorous high school schedule of AP science and math courses ever since.

A longtime student of ballet, Alana will be trying out for Dartmouth’s dance team, a contemporary and ballet-based performance group. She has used her dance expertise to choreograph routines for the Bay High Rockettes, serving as senior lieutenant for that dance and drill team. She is a member of National Honor Society and has served on the leadership team of Bay High’s Team Africa. She participates in Young Life (a Christian outreach group), and she will be accompanying her younger sister on a Young Life camping trip this summer. She will also work as a nanny before heading off to Dartmouth.

“Being named a National Merit finalist is a tremendous honor that truly recognizes all of the hard work of Alana's educational career,” said Bay High principal Jason Martin. “Alana is a tremendously gifted and talented young lady who has worked hard to become a high achieving student, and this award is well deserved.”