T.C. Williams Student Receives Key To The City (Video)

ALEXANDRIA, VA—T.C. Williams High School senior Ana Humphrey already unlocked the potential to discover possible locations of exoplanets with her winning project in the nationwide Regeneron Science Talent Search. Now when she leaves Alexandria to attend college, she's got the key to her hometown too.

On April 23, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson presented Humphrey with a proclamation and key to the city in recognition for her win in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation's most prestigious science competition. She is the first Hispanic student to receive the award in 20 years.

Humphrey told the council she had been working on her research for several years. Her project focused on developing a mathematical model to determine possible locations of exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system. She added words of gratitude for teachers who encouraged her to pursue science, as well as administrators and elected officials for their support.

"It's just been an incredible experience to follow my own passions and pursue something at such a level of depth that you don't usually get to do as high school students," said Humphrey.

Her first-place win came with a $250,000 prize. She joins alumni that have been recipients of the Nobel Prize and the National Medal of Science, started biotechnology and technology companies and made groundbreaking inventions.

Humphrey will study astrophysics at Harvard University in the fall.

Watch the full video of Humphrey being honored by Alexandria City Council below.