St. Mary Academy - Bay View senior Rebekah Pendrak has been named a 2018 National Merit Scholarship winner. She is one of eight high school students in Rhode Island to be named a 2018 Merit Scholarship winner. The award comes with a $2,500 scholarship and is one of the most prestigious awards given to U.S. high school students.

Earlier this month, Rebekah was also named one of 630 semifinalists for the U.S. Presidential Scholarship Program. According to its website, "inclusion in the program, which is now in its 54th year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in the community and school activities."

Rebekah is also a member of Bay's View National Honor Society. She will graduate in June with high honors and will attend Cornell University in the fall, where she will major in Engineering.