Congratulations to 10th grader Reyna Lewis for recently being accepted into Harvard University’s Summer Scholars Program. Reyna will be taking two biology courses through the Harvard program that will earn her eight college credits and move her one step closer to her dream of becoming an anesthesiologist. After high school, Reyna hopes to attend Duke University to study anesthesiology.
Reyna reached out in February to Guidance Counselor Christina Ragland for assistance with the application process to Harvard’s program and to a similar summer program at the University of Miami, and she was accepted to both programs.
“Reyna is a very focused and determined young lady,” Ragland said. “Her work ethic, leadership qualities, and genuine spirit have set a solid foundation for her even as a 10th grade student.” Earlier this year, Reyna was also nominated and inducted into Atlantic Christian’s chapter of the National Honor Society.
“I am thankful that the Harvard community was able to see qualities in Reyna that we see here at ACS,” Ragland said. “I am beyond proud of her and know that she will represent our school well.” As part of the application process, Ragland submitted a letter of recommendation for Reyna and provided documents requested regarding her academics.
The two courses that Reyna will be taking during the Harvard program from June 21 to August 8 are “Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology” and “Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology.” Due to COVID-19 concerns, she will not be spending her summer in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but will be taking the classes online.
Reyna’s parents, Jason and Ruby Lewis, were pleased to see the effort that Reyna made to research and find the summer programs and to start the application process.
“We could not be more proud of Reyna, but we pray that she will look to and follow God’s plan for her life above all else,” Mrs. Lewis said. “We are also thankful for the important role Mrs. Ragland played. She was a tremendous help in guiding Reyna toward her goals.”