A woman of strength. A woman of excellence. These words encompass what IB senior Raquel McDaniel is all about and what she strives for.

She has a 4.0 GPA and a resume that’s studded with stellar accomplishments. And to a long list of superlative endeavor, McDaniel recently managed to secure one of high school academia’s most heralded honors. She was awarded the prestigious Posse scholarship. Since 1989, the Posse Foundation has sponsored nearly 7,000 public high school students with academic and leadership potential. Across Atlanta Public Schools there are only 10 Posse scholars this year. Under the program, McDaniel receives a full-tuition scholarship to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

When she received her big news in December, she was filled with a combination of awe and disbelief. “I walked away from the last interview thinking about how deserving the other students were,” she said. “I was both shocked and thrilled because I wanted it so badly and am very grateful for it.”

McDaniel said Posse officials are not only looking for students with strong academic abilities but also for unique individuals. “The main thing is to be yourself because they are not looking for a specific type of person,” she said. “Do not be afraid to open up because they value genuineness.”

McDaniel said she’s always been self-motivated. “I like doing well to prove to myself that I can be successful and I don’t like disappointing myself or others,” she said. “It helps that my parents have encouraged me to value my education.”

As she approaches her graduation, McDaniel has already started to become philosophical about her soon-to-be-concluded high school career. “I’ve loved North Atlanta and really have come into my own here,” she said.

She plans on studying public health in college or possibly chemical engineering. “School has taught me a great deal about time management,” she said. “I have also developed effective study skills, which I know will help me get through college and graduate.”

Ultimately McDaniel wants to become a nurse practitioner who specializes in global health. “I want to travel and educate people about healthcare and overall prevention and wellness,” she said. “A dream job would be incorporating travel into my career and being exposed to global cultures.”

At North Atlanta she’s been involved in several extracurricular activities including Key Club, Amnesty International and the National Arts Honor Society. “My friends would say I’m always busy because I am either studying or catching up on sleep,” she said. “It’s my nature to work hard and take my responsibilities seriously. I expect to make the world a better place, and be a role model for women of color,” she added.

McDaniel is among the school’s most academically talented students. Having clear goals in mind along with the drive to succeed, she is on the path to prosperity and is doing everything she needs to in order to get there.