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Texas Academy’s Evelyn Hardy, a senior from Cuero, Texas, has received the designation of commended student by the National Merit Scholarship ÐßÐßÊÓƵ.

Commended students are recognized for their academic promise as reflected by their SAT performance. Out of over 15 million high school students from across the nation, only 34,000 receive this highly competitive designation.

While Commended Students will not proceed in the National Merit Scholarship competition, the designation serves as a pathway for future educational opportunities and is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Hardy.  

“For me, it means that the effort I put into studying for the test has really paid off,” Hardy said. “I have actually done so much test prep on Khan Academy that there are no more questions left for some of the sections.” 

Hardy is completing her high school requirements with an engineering concentration.

“My high school robotics teacher is the one who really got me into STEM and one of the people who helped me build confidence in my abilities. I don’t think I would have done half of the things I am doing now without his influence,” Hardy said. “Also, Dr. Thibodeaux and Dr. Yao both really helped me find a place here and have encouraged me to pursue the things I am passionate about.”’

In addition to her academic excellence, Hardy serves as the president of the STEM and Chess Clubs and is active in VEX Robotics. Hardy has also participated in undergraduate research with her project “Effects of 3D Printed Bouligand Structures with Different Pitch Angles on a Materials Dynamic Yield Strength” where she learned about 3D printing and Tensile testing.

At the present, Hardy is uncertain of which trajectory her career will take, but her goals are ambitious, nonetheless.

“I am still in the process of figuring out where I would like to apply for college, and what I would like to do for a career,” Hardy said. “However, I have two ultimate career goals in mind. I either want to become an automation engineer and work on planetary rovers, weather-detecting satellites, humanoid robots, or a biomechanical engineer and work to create the next generation of prosthetics and give people their lives back.”