BioHealth Magnet student becomes a National Merit Finalist

Out of 1.5 million students around the nation who take the PSAT, Ridge View High School Senior Chandler Bailey is one of the 15,000 students to be recognized as a National Merit Finalist.  Bailey is a Biohealth Magnet student, who will attend Calhoun Honors College at Clemson University to major in Horticulture with a minor in Spanish. His future goal is to conduct research in plant science, working to promote eco-awareness and environmental sustainability.

According to Bailey, Ridge View High School’s Institute of Health Sciences Magnet has taught him communication skills and how to step outside his comfort zone, allowing him more opportunities to express and challenge himself. “All of the adults that have been involved in my high school years helped me to develop into the person I am now. Without the unconditional support of my parents, teachers, counselors, and directors, I could not have grown in the ways that I did.”

Jennifer McLeod-Crady, the director on the Institute of Health Sciences Magnet, feels Bailey has grown tremendously since his freshmen year. “Chandler is not only a leader in the classroom with his standout academic performance, but also throughout the Ridge View community. He has started the Green Student Committee and leads the effort to promote recycling in our school. He also peer tutors students in Chemistry and Spanish, and is looked upon by students as a model of success.”

The next step in this process is naming the Merit Scholars designees, which are chosen from the Finalist group. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) judges will review a variety of information to include Bailey’s academic record, test scores, written recommendation, activities and leadership, and essay. All National Merit Scholars will be notified in May.