Meredith College is gaining an honors student with Washington High School senior Jamie Gaynor — and is willing to pay for the privilege.

Gaynor was awarded a $68,000 Academic Merit scholarship to the Raleigh school, a figure that breaks down to $17,000 a year for her undergrad degree, in addition to a separate Meridith Honors Program Scholarship of $2,000.

An honors student, former cheerleader, member of the Key club, Future Teachers of America, Beaufort County Democratic Party, North Carolina Blind Center and Eagle’s Wings food pantry volunteer, and part of the Le Moulin Rouge de Danse troupe headed to a national dance competition this summer, Gaynor has had a jam packed high school career, leading to her choose a college that will allow her to focus on her studies. The 124-year-old college boasts a student body of less than 2,000 and has been ranked among the top 20 percent of colleges in the U.S. by Forbes.com, and as one of the best colleges in the Southeast by The Princeton Review.

“I don’t want to be in a classroom with, like, 300 other students. I wanted a small environment where I could get to know my classmates and professors,” Gaynor said. “It’s an all girls school, so I really like the idea of focusing on the empowerment of women.”

Gaynor is planning for an undergraduate degree in exercise and sports science, followed directly by a graduate degree in occupational therapy, something with which she’s very familiar. She’s grown up volunteering as summer camp and program coordinator at Washington Therapy Center, and as a receptionist at Occupational Therapy Plus, both owned by her parents, James and Cathy Gaynor.

Gaynor hopes to parlay that experience into becoming a future business owner, whether that’s with the family business or on her own, she said.

As part of the Meredith College Honors Program, as well as finding time for forging college connections and new community service opportunities, Gaynor said school life will be just as active in Raleigh as it has been in Washington.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and still plan on volunteering and being really involved in service projects,” Gaynor said.