Live Oak Student Named National Merit Semifinalist
LIVINGSTON, La. – Mackenzie Himel, a senior at Live Oak High School, has been named a National Merit Semifinalist.
Himel is one of 235 high school seniors in Louisiana to be awarded the distinction to compete for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship. Each year, about 16,000 semifinalists are selected across the nation. Only about half, 7,250 will be chosen to win the top scholarship.
Himel is the daughter of Alan and Tiffany Reynerson and Jonathan Himel. She plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania after graduation where she plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in biomedicine. Himel said she wants to eventually go to medical school.
“I have always liked science,” Himel said. She credits her high school AP Teacher Rosalind Dalberg, who taught her AP Chemistry and AP Physics, with helping to make science more interesting and enjoyable.
“She is really a good teacher who has made an impact on me. She made difficult classes fun and helped to keep me motivated even when I struggled. I am hoping to take what I’ve learned here and be successful at the next level,” Himel said.
By becoming a National Merit Semifinalist, Himel is in the running for scholarships to be announced in the spring.