Maumelle Charter’s Annika Pecanty is the school’s first-ever National Merit finalist and will also be her senior class’s valedictorian at graduation on May 17.

Pecanty, above, has done a little bit of everything at Maumelle Charter as was a co-founder of the Mental Health Awareness Association as well as the school’s crochet club. She also plays on the soccer team and has compiled over 120 hours of community service. She’s also been a member, and held leadership roles in the Beta Club and National Honor Society.

“If you know Annika, you know that nothing will stand in the way of her achieving her goals, not even childhood cancer,” said Rachel Hiegel, Academic Facilitator at Maumelle Charter. “In 7th grade, Annika was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and through the struggles of the disease, the chemotherapy treatments, and the isolation of recovery, Annika was still able to maintain her coursework and focus. She is persevering, compassionate, and kind.”

Pecanty will attend the University of Tulsa this fall with a major in biochemistry and a goal to attend medical school.

After that, she wants to become a “pediatric oncologist to help children around the nation who suffer from childhood cancer,” Hiegel said.