Will Parker is a man whose future keeps getting brighter and brighter.

In September, Parker, a senior at Andalusia High School, was named a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist. He was notified last week that he is a finalist.

The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Parker is now eligible to share in some $32 million in scholarships. He is one of approximately 1,300 finalists nationwide.

AHS counselor Donna Cauley hopes students will take notice of Parker’s success.

“His win is such an honor and a reward for all the hard work and studying that he has done,” Cauley said. “I hope it encourages other students to take a look at the big picture. If you’re not the No. 1 student in the class, that’s OK. You can still accomplish great things and push yourself to do well on the ACT and the SAT. Those scores can earn you big scholarships.”

Parker, who hopes to become an engineer, said previously becoming a National Merit Scholar is a goal for him.

An A student, Parker participates in sports and civic responsibilities.

“I’d probably be an A/B student if I didn’t study, so I have to work to be an A student,” he said. “Math and science are my best subjects, so that’s why I want to be an engineer. There’s so many avenues you can take with engineering. You can be a manager or you can be the one to invent things. That intrigues me.”

Parker is the son of Joe and Candy Parker of Andalusia.